Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-27
WESTERLY OWNER LOSES COTTAGE
Beach-Fifth Company Participates in Governors Re
view-R. A. Observation-Disclosures Society Cele-
brates Burns Bnthday-Death of Charles Denison
Chapman.

From some unknown cause, pregum-
ably from incendiary origin, q summer
cottage at East QuonocontAug beach,
owned by William A WILCOX of West
eriy, was completely burned with Its
contents Tuesday evening. entailing Q
loss Of about $4,000. partially covered
by insurance. This Is one Of the cot
tages moved a few years ago by rea-
son OF the severe storm that did so
much damage to shore property. since
then the house has been improved by
the addition of a veranda. The house
was furnished and ready for occupancy
and had been rented for the coming
season. Nothing remains but the
chimney, even the boardwalk being
completely burned.
When first discovered by Archie
Burdick, the whole structure was
aflarne. and the residents of that sec
ton could do nothing to check the hre
and Il burned itself completely out.
The nearest cottage was 100 feet dis
tant, but the wind famed and the
sparks and embers were carried In a
direction where no damage resulted.
So far as known, there had been no
fire in the house since last summer,
and all thes windows and doors were
boarded over No one was seen near
the house, nor observed going towards
or coming from the house, which leads
some to believe that the fire was caused
by mice and matches, or perhaps spon-
taneous combustion. Mr.. Wilcox owns
other cottages at Quonocontaug, the
one burned being known as the What
Cheer.
The Fifth company, Westerly, Coast
Defense district, Rhode Island National
guard, participated in the preliminary
drills and the review to Governor
Beeckman in the state armory at
Providence Wednesday night. Major
Arthur N. Nash of Westerly command
ed in some of the special drills, and
was in ommand of a battalion in the
review, as was also Major Bourbon a.
Rabcock of Westerly. Besides the mill
tary drills and ceremony. there was a
band concert and the event closed with
a dance. 1t was in addition to a cred
liable military demonstration one OF
the biggest social occasions of the sea-
son In the Capitol City.
Deputy Grand Regent n. Il. Dauphi-
nee and Deputy Grand Guide Eugene
J. Damon installed these officers of
Granite council, No. III, Royal Area
mum: Archie c. Thompson. regent:
Neil Mckenzie. vice regent; William c.
Francis orator; John NJ. Donohue, sit
ting past regent; Ethan P. Gavitt, sec
rotary; Albert e. Barber, collector;
John c. Loughead, treasurer; Silas E
Lewis. chaplain; Herbert L. Burdick,
=
Thomas McSparren, sentry; Frank w.
Coy, Harry S. James, Otis L. Burdick,
trustees.
The local caIedonian society csIe-
brated the birthday of Robert Burns
ia Californian hall, the exercises being
as follows: Remarks, Chief George
Smith; selection. bagpipes. William
Clachrie: song, Star o. Bobbie Burns,
Thomas Broadfoot; song, Rollin' Home
tae Bonnie Scotland, Mrs. George Phil
lips; Scotch selection, Papalia trio;
song, The Maid o. Dundee, Harry Cole
man; song, My Ain Folks. Mrs. Harry
Davidson recitation, Tae Luce. Will
liam Clachrie: song. A Wee Bit Land,
Thomas Braadfoot; song, Come Ye by
Athol, Mrs George Phillips; Scotch
selections. Papalia trio: Ye Banks and
Braes o. Bonnie Doom, Harry Coleman;
song. Wearin' Ava, Jean, Mrs. Harry
William Clachrie. After singing Aud
Lang Syne, refreshments and the
dance.
Charles Denison Chapman Of Wes-
teriy died Wednesday afternoon at his
home in High street, after four days
Illness with pneumonia Mr.. Chapman
was the son of the late Mr.. and Mrs.
Charles P. Chapman and was born in
the old homestead near Chapman's
pond, about midway between Wester-
ly and Bradford in the town of Wes-
terly. In early life he was associated
with his father and a brother Leon
and managed the Chapman quarry.
The family subsequently removed to
High street in the village of Wester-
ly. After retiring from the granite
business, Mr.. Chapman located in
Providence where for a time he con-
DBL 1an net
elaborate saloon in the city, the head
quarters Of sporting men and show
place of the city, the floor being stud
ded with silver dollars.
After retiring from business in Prov
idence. Mr.. Chapman returned to Wes-
terly and was not in active business
for many years, attending to his per-
sonal affairs. About three years ago
he opened the saloon in Canal street
known as the c. Den. Mr.. Chapman
is the last of his direct family and is
survived by HIS widow. He was 6S
years Of age and was in his usual good
health up to last Saturday. He was
of giant stature Of genial disposition,
a good hearted ard charitably disposed
man. He was a member of the Prov
idence lodge of Elks and of the Wes-
terly lodge Of Moose.
Four prize winning White Wyan-
dotte hens were stolen from the yard
of William r. Wells, in Ashaway,
some time after sunset Sunday night.
When the fowl were missed Monday
morning. Mr.. Wells offered a reward
Of so for the recovery of one par
ticular hen, and no questions asked.
He gave a good description of the
fowl in the advertisement. Wednes-
day afternoon. Policeman Michael Cur
tin while patroling in Pierce street,
saw four fowls that had evidently en-
joyed good care and. as they answered
the description of the stolen fowl he
made inquiry of the party in posses
sion of the fowls and learned that they
were purchased from Silas Randall,
colored, a resident of Pond street. Po-
liceman Curtin made a report to Chief
Brown who, with Curtin, went to
Pierce street is an automobile and
took possession of the four Wyan-
dottes and started back for the station.
On the way the officers saw Randall
in Pearl street. and took him into Gus
tody. landing the man and the hens
in the police station.