davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-28
OTTO r. HOWE DIES
IN WESTBORO, MASS.
Former Resident of Brattleboro Was
Proficient in Military Affairs
Private Funeral Saturday.

Otto Robert Howe, so, former resi-
dent of Brattleboro, died this morn
ing in Westboro, Mass, after being in
failing health about two years. He
was the Oldest son of Jonathan c. and
Lenora (Wright) Howe and was born
in Springfield (Vt.) July "a, 1866. His
father died Oct. 80 of this year in his
home on Canal street.
When Mr.. Howe was four years old
bo and his parents came to Brattieboro
10 live, and Mr. Howe attended the
high school. Later he was employed
II Barna A. Clark s hardware store and
afterwards for the Estey Organ Co
making piano cases.
He was greatly interested in military
affairs and rose to the rank of first
sergeant in the old Estey Guards. en-
listing in 1889 in the regular army. He
served three years in the army, being
drill sergeant in Company A in instruc.
tion at David s Island in New York
harbor. He was the first physical di
rector to introduce the Roberts dumb
bell drill in the regular army.
From Brattleboro Mr.. Howe went tC
Montana and became superintendent OF
the plant of the Madison River Power
Co. at Livingston. Later he was see
retary for q year of the Livingston
chamber of commerce. For some years
he has been a carpenter in Newton Cen
ter, Mass, and surrounding places, his
home being in Newton Center. Years
ago he was delegated by the war de
2artment TO search in New York city
for Arden Humphrey, who disappeared
from the Brattlcboro Retreat and whose
whereabouts for long time We're ;
mystery.
Mr.. Howe married, Sept. 6, 1892
Miss Emma Gould Of Ludlow (Vt.1
who survives with two children, Heller
Howe, third year student in Welles
leg college, and Harold Howe, who i:
employed in the South station in Bos
ton. He also leaves his mother and two
brothers, Arthur l. Howe of Ludlow
Mass, and John w. Howe of Brattle
boro.
Private funeral services will be hel,
in Brattleboro Saturday and the buria
viii take place in Morningside eeme
terry.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-28
ORANGE MAN NEVER
MISSED A MEETING
Samuel L. Underwood Had Been Chap
lain Of Grand Army Post
Forty-two Years

ORANGE, Mass, Dee. %. = Samuel
L. Underwood, "A, for 42 years chaplain
of Gen. Sedgwick Grand Army post,
died suddenly yesterday of heart dis
ease. He had been ill since Sunday.
Mr.. Underwood was born in New
Salem, the son of Samuel Greenwood
and Esther (Lord) Underwood He
had spent practically all his life in
this town. He served in Company H,
36th Massachusetts Infantry, in the
Civil war. Mr.. Underwood was six feet
five and one-half inches in height and
was familiar figure about Orange for
many years. He was devoted to his
religion and was an active member Of
the Methodist church since he was IA
years old. He had not missed a single
eampmeeting of the Methodist associa-
tion at Sterling Junction, and very few
services at the local Methodist church.
For 4S years he was employed in
a local machine shop. The funeral will
be held Friday afternoon at clock
in the Methodist church Rev. c. F,
Parsons will offieiate. Burial will be in
Central cemetery.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-28
DEBIS FOUND WITH
FRACTURED SKULL
Sheriff Believes Bad Horse Caused
Fatal InjurieS-Brought to Frank
lin County Hospital.

GREENFIELD, Mass, Dee. 2s.-Alex
Debis, 80 years old, who was Tuesday
evening found with fractured skull
lying beside the highway between
South Deerfeld and Sunderland, died
at IL 0 clock yesterday in the Frank
lin County hospital. The man was lying
in pool of blood and DR.. Charles Mo-
line of South Deerfeld attended him.
He gave first aid treatment and later
Debis was taken to the Greenfield hos
pital.
An investigation was in progress yes
terday afternoon under the direction of
Sheriff James B. Bridges of South
Deerfield. He stated that at present
there is no suspicion of foul play be.
cause it is known Debis had trouble
with his horse before leaving a hotel in
that place at 1890 o'clock.
1t is thought he might have been
kicked by the animal while driving in
sleigh to his home in Sunderland.
The horse ran into a farmyard short
distance from where the man was
found in an unconscious condition.
Debis leaves his wife and four children.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-28
GERMANY INDICATES
A DESIRE FOR PEACE
Willing to Permit Confidential Ex.
change Of Tentative Terms Through
President Wilson.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2S.-Germany
it was made known today, will not per
NIT the road to peace negotiations to be
blocked by a refusal of the entente
belligerents to enter a conference with.
out proper knowledge of her terms. 1t
has been forecasted that the entente
powers would base a refusal on such
a condition.
The central powers are represented
as willing to permit confidential ex
change of broad tentative terms through
President Wilson, should it become nee.
essary to do so to bridge the gap
which threatens to prevent a gathering
of peace delegates. There were broad
intimations today that statement OF
this position by Germany either had
been communicated to the United State;
government or soon would be.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-28
SOLICITOR MADE
ATTACK ON SMALL
Murder of Prisoners Wife
One of Most Brutal in
Annals of Crime
WILL TELL ABOUT
ACTS OF CRUELTY
In Smal's Satchel After the Fire Was
Discovered an Inventory of the Con-
tents of Cottage Set on Fire After
Woman Was Slain.

OSSlPEE, n. H., Dec. 2s.-Chief So
licitor Walter d. II. Hill, the state
prosecutor in the trial of Frederick L.
Small, charged with the murder of his
wife, made his opening address today.
He first discussed evidence to be
presented to tho iurg of acts of cruelty
which he alleged Small had inflicted on
his wife at various times. Threats to
kill his wife would also be related by
witnesses. the chief solicitor said.
Small $ movements We're traced by the
prosecuting official from the time he
left his home on the day of the muir
der.
lie told of Small's request to Edwin
c. Connor. = school teacher, that he
elangc his plans TO accompany him to
Boston week later and make the trip
that day.
He told the jurors also how George
Kennett, driver, reached the Small
home half an hour before the time APP
pointed by Small, but found the latter
outside the cottage ready to start
Chief Solicitor Hill told of testimony
which the prosecution would offer con
corning Sma.I's actions after he was
told of the fire and of the discovery in
his satchel of an inventory of the con
tents of the cottage.
The prosecutor declared the murder
was one of the most brutal in tha an
nails of crime.
AS the first witness Harry w. Saw
yer of Manchester was called to the
stand to describe plan of the grounds
al out the Small cottage, which lie drew
fcr use at the trial.
George y. Emerson of Quincy, who oc-
cupied a cottage at Lake Ossipee, tes-
titled that with Mrs. Emerson he at
tended a card party at the Small home
five days before the murder and that
Small spoke to Mrs. Small in a manner
which caused her TO cry. Mrs. Emerson
who followed her husband on the stand,
told of hearing a woman scream after
they had returned to their home near
by.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-28

BERLIN, Dec. 81, via London. Dee.
2s-A Vienna despatch says the Austro-
Hungarian government today answered
the Swiss note by transmitting a copy
of the note sent to President Wilson. A
covering message assured the Helve-
tian government that the "noble mind
ed suggestion of President Wilson met
with thoroughly sympathetic recep-
tion'' from Austria Hungary.
The message added that the Austro-
hungarian government regarded the
Swiss action in supporting President
Wilson as an evidence of the "noble
and humane disposition which Switzer-
land, since the beginning of the war,
has manifested toward all belliger-
ents.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-28
MANY CASES OF SCARLET FEVER
Northern and Southern Parts of State
Hit by Epidemic.

BURLINGTON, Dee 2S.-Secretary
G. T. Dalton of the state board OF
health states that there are two small
epidemics of scarlet fever in the ex.
treme northern and southern parts Of
the state. The eases have been light as
a rule, but there have been three fatal
tiles and several severe eases.
In some localities the epidemic is
considered serious. The schools in
Montgomery and johnson were closed
earlier than usual for the Christmas
vacation and all Christmas exercises in
the schools and churches were aban.
doned.
Outside of scarlet fever there are but
few eases of contagious diseases in the
state. Two threatened epidemics OF
diphtheria were checked by the taking
of wholesale cultures from school chill
dren.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-28
FIRING ON OIL
AND GRAIN DEPOT
Germans and Bulgarians Hurting Shells
Across Danube Upon I'm
portant Positions.

BERLIN, by wireless to Sayville
Dee. 2S.-Braila, the important Ruman-
ian oil and grain depot in northeastern
Wallachia, is under the fire of the Ger
man Bulgarian cannon from across the
Danube, says the military critic of the
Over Seas News agency in his review
today.
troops, deeimated in Wallachia,' the
military critic writes, ''retreated in
confusion behind the river Sereth for
the purpose of being reformed there
under Russian leadership Simultaneous
ly the Russians, III strongly prepared
positions, offered resistance in an effort
to prevent a further German advance
toward the Sereth. Consequently new
and violent engagements occurred.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-28
EDDY AND WHITNEY
TO RETAIN OFFICES
viii Practice Law in Offices of Late
Clarke G. Fitts-Mr. Eddy Made
Director of Power Co.

An agreement has been entered into
whereby Attorney Hermon f. Eddy
and Attorney Harold L. Whitney will
continue the practice of law in the of
fees of the late Attorney Clarke c.
Fits in the Vermont National bank
building, where they were associated
with Mr.. Fits from the time of their
admission to the Vermont bar. They
will retain both the second and third
floors, as at present.
Mr.. Fitts's large law library and his
office furniture will 60 to his oldest son,
Robert l.. Fits, who has another year
in the Harvard law school, but they
will remain in the present offices. Ar
rangements were completed some time
ago for Robert l.. Fits, after his grad
uatlon, 10 take a position with a prom
lnent Boston law firm, but whether this
arrangement will be carried out, in view
OF MR. Fits s death, or whether he will
wish to become associated with Attor-
neys Eddy and Whitney remains for the
future to determine.
That Attorneys Eddy and Whitney
have fine opportunity before them is
apparent to all. Some of Mr.. Fits S
largest clients have signified their wish
to have these attorneys act for them.
In afspeeial meeting yesterday after
neon of the Connecticut River Power
| Co. Mr.. Eddy was elected vice president
and director to succeed Mr. Fits. Mr..
Whitney already was a director and
secretary. The board of directors is
now made up as follows: President,
Charles A. Harris; vice president, Her
mon f. Eddy; treasurer, William w.
Brooks of Boston; clerk, Edalbert J.
Temple of Hinsdale, \. H., secretary,
Harold f. Whitney.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-28
JOHN F. LEE DROPS DEAD.
Montpelier Man, 70 Years Old, Dies In
the Street

MONTPELIER, Dec. 2S.-John Fran
els Lee, resident of Montpelier for
about 20 years, dropped dead at 7.40
o clock this evening on Main street.
The body was discovered by Rev. L. C.
Carson, who notified the city authori-
ties. Death was due to heart disease.
Mr.. Lee was born in Moretown, the
son of Peter and Catherine Lee. His
first wife was Miss Hattie Brown of
MoretoWn and after her death he mar
ried Mrs. Mary Riley of Bellows Falls,
who survives, together with brother,
James B. Lee, and a sister, Mrs. Cath
crime Murray of Bellows Falls.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-28
DAMAGED. DEFENSES.
French Used Bombs Successfully in At
tacks on the Germans.

PARIS, Dee. 2S. - French troops last
night repulsed small attacks near Lee
Cheney on the Somme and upon the
eastern slope of Hill 304. West of the
Meuse in the Verdun region, the war
office announced today, mines sprung
by the French ON the Somme front
caused great damage to German de-
fenses. One of the explosions produced
a crater l20 yards long and 40 wards
wide. The flying corps yesterday at
tackled several blast furnaces and steel
mills. The airplanes were aided in the
attack by two dirigibles.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-28
Walter A. Johnson of West
minister Instantly Killed
in the Woods
|STRUCK BY OAK
HE HAD DISLODGED
Body Lifted Into Sleigh by Companion,
John Winters, and Taken Home -
Leaves Wife and One Child - Was
Cutting Wood.
Especial to The Reformer.)
WESTMINSTER, Dee.

w E<to Min . Ell, Dee. %.
While working in the woods on his
own land late yesterday afternoon Wal
ter A. johnson was struck on the head
by falling tree and was instantly
killed
Mr.. Johnson and John Winters went
into the woods on. Mr.. Johnson S hill
pasture to cut wood. During their
work an oak tree from eight to 10
inches through became lodged in three
of the trees, about 90 feet from the
ground.
The men set about to dislodge the
tree about 4 o'clock, intending to stop
for the day when that was done. They
dislodged it and started TO run, Mr..
Winters being just ahead Of Mr.. John
son, and as the tree fell it struck Mr..
Johnson, crushing his skull and knock
ing him TO the ground.
Mr.. Winters lifted the body into a.
sleigh in which they had ridden to the
woods, and reached the Johnson home
shortly before 5 'elock.
The scene of the accident was be-
tween two and three miles west of
Westminster village, toward Westrnin-
ster West
Mr.. johnson was Al years old. He
was born in this town, son of Nelson
and Sophia (Arnold) johnson and had
always lived in town. His parents are
dead. Mr.. Johnson married Elbra
Hooper of Walpole, n. H., Jan. Z, 1908
He leaves his wife and one child, Carl
Nelson Johnson, three years old. Also
one sister, Mrs Carl Adams of Keene,
n. II.
He was a member of the lodge of
Odd Fellows in Walpole, of Boyden
Grange of this village and of the Men s
club of the Westminster Congregation
al church.
The funeral will be held Saturday at
he Congregational church of Keene,
0 clock, Rev. ". o. Conrad, pastor OF
officiating.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-28
SEVERAL HOUSES
HAVE BEEN CRUSHED
Destruction of the Entire Village of
CEamprey Is Threatened by
an Avalanche

BERNE, via Paris, Dec. 2s.-The
destruction of the village of Champery
is threatened by the sudden onset of a
number of avalanches coupled with a
landslide. Several houses have been
crushed and the whole population has
evacuated the village.
Swiss troops and 20 interned French
prisonerS of war are working day and
night to preserve the rest of the viii
lage. An enormous avalanche has
swept away many Alpine huts near the
Simplon pass, killing two men and
many cattle.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-28
SANTA CLAUS TO
ARRIVE TONIGHT
Every Boy and Girl in Town Invited TO
Festival Hall-Episcopal Enter
tainment Is Postponed

Every boy and girl in Brattleboro is
invited to the municipal Christmas tree
festivities in Festival hall tonight al
o clock. Parents and friends of the
children also will be welcome, but the
front seats will be reserved for the
children. Santa Claus has signifed his
intention of being present sometime
during the evening to distribute candy
and apples.
The Episcopal Christmas entertain
ment which was to be given this even.
ing has been postponed to next week
Friday, in Difference to the municipal
tree program.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-28
INGALLS, HEAD CHECKER MAN.
L. j. Egelston of Rutland Elected Vice
President at st. Albans

ST. ALBANS, Dee. 2s-The annual
meeting of the Vermont Checker club
association was held in this city yester.
day afternoons and the annual tourna
ment opened after the meeting.
The business session was held at 1.3C
o 'clock and the following officers were
elected: President, w. D. ingalls, of
Richford; vice president, L. J. Egels-
ton of Rutland; secretary and treasurer
W. c. Hoag of Burlington; governing
board, W. d. Ingalls,, William Gill and
y. NJ. Taggart; director of games, Will
liam. Gill.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-28
J. M. wARDLAw COMMISSIONED
Former st. Albans Man a Lieutenant
of Royal Welsh Fusiuers.

ST. ALBANS, Dec. 2s.-Lieut. James
NJ. Wardlaw of the Royal Welsh Fusil-
lers, r. A, who has been taking an of
iieers training course in England, has
received his commission and has left
with his command for the British
fighting front in France
Lieut.. Wardlaw, a former resident of
tins city, enlisted in the 18th battalion,
Canadian infantry, practically at the
outbreak of the war. He has seen SER
vice IN France and Belgium. He dis
tlnguished himself for gallantry in the
st. Elos battle last spring and was dec
Grated with the military medal. Later
he retuned to England to take an off
GERS training course.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-28
Lively Fusilade Across the
Rio Grande Took Place
Near FL Paso
FIRST SHOTS CAME
FROM MEXICAN SIDE
and Fired Several Hundred Bullets,
Until They Were Sure the Mexicans
Had Been Driven Away.

Ell PASO, Texas, Dec. 2S.-Several
hundred shots were fred across the Rio
Grande into Mexico west of here today
by members of the Kentucky National
guard, whose officers declared the fusil
ade was n reply to shots fired from the
Mexican side.
Capt. +. w. Clarke, in command of
J. Company, who heard the Kentucky
infantry which did the firing, affirmed
that he not only heard shots on the
Mexican side, but also saw some Mexi-
cans. The firing seemed to come from
several other points, he said, and the
Americans kept up their fire until they
were sure the Mexicans were driven
well out.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-28
PLAN TO DECIDE
RAILROAD DISPUTES
Suggestion of Chiefs of Four Railroad
Brotherhoods Placed Before Con-
ference Committee.

NEW YORK, Dec. 2s.-Creation of
federal commission to decide disputes
between railroads and their employees,
regardless of whether the United
States supreme court may hold the
Adamson act constitutional was the
suggestion which the chiefs of the four
railroad brotherhoods indicated to-
day might be placed before the
conference committee of railroad mana
gers. Representatives of the two sides
went into conference here to discuss
the Adamson legislation and its effects.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-28
TOOK 5000 PRISONERS.
Teuton Armies Elected Russians and
inflicted Heavy Loss.

BERLIN, Dec. %. The defeat of
the Russo Rumanian forces by the in
vading Teutonic armies is reported to-
day. The Russian troops, which at
tempted to regain lost ground, were
crushed back and elected from their
new positions with heavy losses. In
yesterdays fighting the Austro- German
forces took 1900 prisoners. Eight air
planes were lost by the entente allies
in yesterdays fighting on the western
front, the statement said.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-28
ANNUAL OFFICER 8 SCHOOL.
Opens at st. Adams, About 40 officers
Being Expected.

st. Albans, Dec 2s.-The annual
school for the officers of the 1st Infan-
try, V. n. g., opened in this city last
night and will continue until this even
ing. The officers are making their head
quarters at the Tavern and the sessions
are being held at the arnlory.
The officers are receiving instruction
in administration and will discuss work
of all kinds pertaining to the different
organizations of the regiment and to the
regiment itself.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-28
NOTE IN WASHINGTON.
Germany's Reply Similar to Unofficial
Text Already Published.

WASHINGTON, Dee. 28.-The of
fetal text of Germany s reply to Presi-
dent Wilson 8 peace note was received
here early today. So far as was known
1t was unaecompanied by any other
communication and was said to be sub
stantially the same as the unofficial text
received Tuesday from Berlin.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-28
BROWNTAIL NESTS
ARE SCARCE HERE
Harold L. Bailey, IN Charge of Insect
Suppression, Comes Here on Scout
ing Expedition

Harold l.. Bailey of Bradford, as
sistant to f. s. Brigham of St. Albans
commissioner of agriculture came to
town last night for stay of two days
to scout for browntail moth nests He
found a few in the south part of the
town this morning, but says they are
very scarce here. He has charge of
insect suppression in the state.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-28
EXPLAINED PEACE NOTE.
U. S. Ambassador Page Held Interview
With italian Minister.

ROME, via Paris, Dee. %. - United
States Ambassador Page had a long in
terview with Baron Sonnino, the
Italian foreign minister, today in re.
gard to President Wilson S note. Am.
bassador Page elucidated passages of
the note which have been the subject
of controversy in the Italian press and
emphasized the friendly spirit which
moved the President 70 address the bel
lgerent powers.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-28
PRICE OF MILK
AGAIN BOOSTED
Bradley Farm Notifies Customers that
Nine Cents Quart Will Be Charged
After January 1

The Bradley farm notified customers
this morning that beginning JAM l the
price of milk would be nine cents a
quart instead of eight, with special milk
at 10 cents quart. Cream will remain
at the present price of 90 cents quart.
The advance is made because of the
constantly increasing cost of feed and
labor.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-28
First Baptist Church

Thursday, Dec 2S, at ocock-The
regular missionary meeting of the Wo-
mans society will he held with Mrs T. X.
Fuller. A large attendance is desired.
Friday at 4.l5 y. m.-Iunior Chris
tian Endeavor meeting in the chapel.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-28
CARRANZA'S REPLY
is EXPECTED TO-DAY
Believed That He Will Insist on the
Withdrawal Internationally Of
Troops in Mexico.

WASHINGTON, Dee. 2s.-Luis Cab
rera, chairman of the Mexican commits
sion arrived here from New York this
morning bearing an answer of Carran-
"a s TO the demand of the American
representatives that he ratify or repu-
diate the protocol signed at Atlantic
City.
lie made telegraphic arrangements
last night with Secretary Lane to sub
NIT the answer today. The character
Of Carranza's reply has not been re-
vealed but il was generally believed it
was another suggestion for modification
and contained insistence that the Amer
lean troops in Mexico be withdrawn
unconditionally.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-28
TO MEET IN MONTPELIER
Gathering of Vermont Bar Association
to Be Held Tuesday.
Especial TO The Reformer. !
BURLINGTON. Dee

BURLINGTON, Dec. o.
Col. John II. Mimms, secretary of the
Vermont Bar association, has sent 10
335 attorneys invitations to attend the
annual meeting of the Vermont Bar as
sociation, to be held in Montpelier next
Tuesday. One feature of the occasion
will be farewell address by Chief Jus
tiee Loveland Munson of Manchester,
who has announced his wish to retire
from the bench.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-28
PRESIDENT AT PIER 60.
Mr.. Wilson Receives Congratulations
from This Country and Abroad.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2s. - Presi-
dent Wilson was 90 years of age today
He was the recipient of many congratu-
latory messages from all parts of the
country and abroad. No special cele-
bration was planned for the day.