davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1916-12-14
LEE-HUNTINGTON TROLLEY.

It begins to look as if the ee-Hunt- ington trolley line, practically idle since it was built in 1911, would be operated. Members of the public ser. vice commission have authorized Leonard Hardy of Huntington and Harry B. Putnam of Westfield to tell the folks of Western Massachusetts that the commission will order the Berkshire Street hallway com pany to begin operating cars over the whole length of the line from Lee to Hunting ton within "a reasonable time" to be prescribed in the order. The commits. sioners gave the two men to under stand that the reasonable time" ought to expire next spring.
 Thus. apparently the hill towns win their long fight for service which the New Haven railroad promised by ac cepting 1910 act of the legislature permitting the line to be built. The line wss constructed in 1911 and was to have been opened not later than January 1913. But it wasn't. For months not a wheel turned on the rails Headings of the towns finally brought partial service from Lee eastward a few miles to Otis. Their struggles tor complete service wrung nothing mere from the reluctant Berkshire Street Railway company until the towns grew threatening last fall. Then they got a hearing before the public service commission, after much pulling and hauling. The commissions engineers soon afterward made a study of the line and now the members of the com mission have definitely pledged them- selves to order the whole line into operation. Courier.
Connecticut western news., 1916-12-14
PASSING TROLLEY CARS.

! There is one thing for the incoming legislature to seriously consider next month and that is readjustment of the automobile laws. Some of the laws are very good and others are con- siderably lacking in clarity and effec. tiveness. We need headlight law that will be clear and absolute and we need to have teeth put in the law that requires lights on all vehicles.
 One of the questions that has just arisen is of considerable importance. This concerns passing trolley cars on the left side. The attorney general tells us that there is no statnte to com- pei a vehicle to turn to the right when passing standing trolley car and that the only thing that has any bearing now is city rule in some municipali- ties
 There should be clear law on this because it is mighty dangerous to pass on the left side and serious accidents may happen as result when people are getting off cars and expect traffic on the right hand side. The automo. piles are too common now to permit any misunderstanding Meriden Journal
Connecticut western news., 1916-12-14
EASTERN STAR ELECTS
New Officers of Lady Masons"
 Chosen at Annual Meeting.

At the annual meeting of Esther Chapter, No. 72, O. E. S.. held on the evening of Decem Der 6, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year:
 W. M; Miss Isabel H. Roger; W. P. Charles Laffargue; associate M. Mrs. May Mather; secretary, Mrs. Harriet Graney; treasurer, Mrs. Minnie Hol- sapple; conductress, Mrs. Anna Triesch- mann: associate conductress, Mrs. Lii. liam Dodge
 The W. M. appointed the following Adah, Mrs. Elizabeth Collins; Ruth, Mrs. Alice O. Ford; Esther, Mrs. Ida Dewey: Martha, Miss Fannie Condon Electa, Mrs. Caroline Holt; organist, Mrs. Ada Lee; chaplain, Mrs. Helen Hanlon; marshall, Mrs. Elsie Decker wander, Mrs. Jessie Moore; sentinel, Harry A. Holt.
 At special meeting of the chapter last night, one candidate, Mrs. Ella Burns, was initiated and the work done in a very pleasing manner. A large number of the members were in attend. ance as we'll as few invited members. After the meeting bouEtiful refresh. ments were served, and a very enjoya ble evening spent by all.
 At the next regular meeting on the evening of December 20, the officers fol the ensuing year will be installed. All members are requested to be present.
Connecticut western news., 1916-12-14
SCHOOL NOTES.
meeting.

Bernard Smith, a member of the senior class of the high school, who has teen seriously i'll during the past few weeks is reported to be improving.
 The regular monthly teachers meet ing was held Monday, December 4. Demonstration lessons were given in arithmetic by Miss Jennings of the Sodom district and by MT. Stone.
 MT. George J. Vogel, ex Supt. of the Canaan schools was in town last Satur. day.
 Miss Mary Mansfield, a member of the senior class of the high school has substituted in the third grade room during the absence caused by Mrs. Morris illness.
 Miss Pearl Davis has returned home during the week end from Danbury on account of illness.
 The attendance following the present epidemic of measles has slightly i'm. proved.
 The center school will close for the Christmas vacation Thursday afternoon December 21 and reopen Tuesday morning, January 3.
 Miss Waters, member of the senior class of Danbury Normal school is sub- stituting for Mrs. ). W. Morris this week.
Connecticut western news., 1916-12-14
NEW FREIGHT EQUIPMENT.

American railroads placed orders in November for the construction of 56, 53O freight cars, representing an ex- penditure of about $83, 1000, ,00O which established a new record according to statistics published by the journal of commerce. Never before have freight car orders in any single month exceeded 25,O00 cars.
 The November orders together with those in October, are about 5C per cent. ot the entire business for the first eleven months of 1916 and are attributed largely to the pressing need for equip ment to handle the enlarged traffic arising out of the transportation of commodities to seaports for exportation to Europe. Another thousand freight cars were purchased in the U. S., by foreign interests at an approximate cost of $l,5O0.000. Domestic roads ordered 342 and foreign buyers, 633, locomotives and American Roads bought 491 passenger cars, and these. together with the freight cars ordered and 737, 1000 tons of rails bought brought the total cost of railroad equip. ment purchased during November up to $155, 551, ,OOO according to the statis. tics
Connecticut western news., 1916-12-14
KILLED AT GRADE CROSSING
Hartford Train Due at 7:O4 Strikes
 Man at p. & F. Crossing.

Train No. 9, from Hartford to Mil. lerton, conductor Dennis O'Hearn and engineer B. B. Smith in charge, struck a horse and wagon Tuesday night at the Peirce 6 Freeman crossing this side of their kilns.
 The view of an approaching train is not obstructed st all and engineer Smith had been watching the light on a wagon coming toward the track. he slowed down, blowing a warning, but still the driver of the horse paid no at tention to the whistle, driving directly in front of the engine which struck the cupant up onto the pilot so that he was securely seated there.
 It was found that there was frac. ture at the base of the skull so that he probably was instantly killed. The horse was also killed and the wagon demolished
 On the arrival of the train at the station Medical Examiner Camp was notified; after making an examination permission for the removal of the body to Undertaken Lasher's room was given.
 None of the railroad men knew the man but papers found in his pockets led Examiner Camp to believe he might be Luigi Chini of Norfolk. who had been making regular trips to "Little Italy" selling groceries for some time. He is said to have brother in busi- ness in Norfolk and another working for Nj. B. Snow of that place.
 Engineer Smith has 8 remarkable record for his twenty seven years on an engine this being the third man his train had killed in that time.
Connecticut western news., 1916-12-14
AUTOMOBILE CENSUS.

We are indebted to the state automo. bile department for a complete list of all automobiles and motor cycles regis tered in the towns of Canaan and North Canaan to date, from which we get the following information:
 The total number of automobiles, in. cluding pleasure and commercial cars, in the two towns, comprising the will iages of Canaan, East Canaan, Canaan Valley, Falls Village, South Canaan and Huntsville, is 156 classified as fol lows: Ford, 70; Buick, IS; Rec, II; Stakeholder, 9; Chevrolet, &; Overland, 6: SteTens Duryea, 5; Metz, 5; Max we'll, 5; Cadillac, 4; Pope Hartford, 3; Corbin, 9; and one each of the follow. ing: Hudson, Micthel, Dodge, Elmore. Briscoe, Pratt, Marmon, Hupmobile, Vulcan, Jeffrey, Broadway, Interna. tional, WIllys.K and E. M. F.
 There are six motor cycles: two In. dian, two Harley -Davison, and one each Excelsior and Marsh Metz.
Connecticut western news., 1916-12-14
GET YOUR AUTO NUMBER.

Some owners f automobiles have a pride and a sentiment about keeping the license numbers they have had for several years. Each year they apply to the states secretary's office and ask that the identical number be returned them with their new markers. Many are already doing so this year.
 Frederick J. Wetstine, chief clerk of the Motor Vehicles department, an- nounces that those who wish their same numbers must apply on or before December 15, week from Friday. Otherwise their request cannot be granted and they will receive numbers in the consecutive order of those re- maining.
 It is expected there will be 50, ,OO0 pleasure cars licensed in Connecticut this year. Plans have been made to handle all that number and the office is ready to begin on the registrations.
Connecticut western news., 1916-12-14
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

President Wilson has the same poli- cics after the election that he had be- fore it. His message is inslstent for the eight.hour Legislation given to rail- road workers. He wants Legislation that will prevent the transportation system of the country from being tied up before there can be investigation in the interest of the public. He looks coldly upon the proposition that Con- gress shall specially empower the In- terstate Commerce Commission 10 raise railroad rates. He thinks such action would be construed as an instruction te raise rates. He renews his proposal that the president shall have power to draft railroad workers in case of mili- tary necessity.
 This is the program he exhibited bo- fore the election. He meant business then, and he means business now. The next four years should see the country far advanced in legislative progress.- Bridgeport Farmer.
Connecticut western news., 1916-12-14
TWO HUMANE PROPOSALS.

Two important humane proposals will be laid before the next general assem- bly,. These are the plans for the women's reformatory and for the farm for drunkards. They will cost money, but they will save money and in some cases at least save characters.
 Competent physicians say that a short confinement for a drunkard is simply means of whetting up his ap- petite. There is need of long period of abstinence to get the desire out of the system. It is injudicious to as- sume anything like cure under eigh- teen months. What do we do about it as things are? Why, we shut the drunkards mp for ten or thirty days, and then turn them loose thirsty. Honest hard work on the farm will do them good, while this kind of treat ment is simply a suspension. Unless they die in jail, they'll be at it again.
 AS for the women the simplest reason ing brings conviction that a reforma- tory for them is absolutely essential. They are even worse 'rounders" than are the depraved men and they all have to have a start. Prevention by turn ing the young from the paths they have begun to tread is public duty. In other states such an institution has accomplished great deal of evident good. It is time that Connecticut fell into line. Courant.
Connecticut western news., 1916-12-14
SPARKS ELECTRIC.

A telephone system is being installed by the Spanish Government to connect up cities on the Canary Islands. Wireless messages have been received with detector made of the lead of broken pencil and two safety razor blades.
 An electrically operated coffee mill so small and light that the whole outfit could be tucked in an overcoat pocket is used to grind coffee in the home.
 Gongs will not awaken deaf mutes in case of fire so one institution has in, stalled fire alarm system for flashing electric lights in the sleeping rooms at night.
 Electrical goods to the value of $35,- Quo, 1000, it is estimated, will be ex. ported during the year 1916, the most prosperous year in the history of elec- trical manufacturing.
 Courts have recently sustained the patents on Mazda lamps owned by the General Electric Company and no further importations will be permitted.
 The electric hand mirror is the new est vanity wrinkle of the boudoir. small electric bulb to throw the light on the face of the user.
 A western trapper has arranged an electric signal system which lights a tiny electric bulb when a trap is sprung enabling him to locate it in the darkness and kill the animal.
 An electrically ignited pipe which lights the tobacco at the bottom of the bowl instead of at the top, thus avoid ing the collection of moisture in the stem, is the newest Ill smokers inven- tiOnS,
Connecticut western news., 1916-12-14
NEW OFFICERS OF HOSE co.
Annual Meeting and Election of Off, cers Thursday Night.

Canaan Hose Company, No. 1 held its annual meeting last Thursday night, December [, at the company headquarters. A majority of the mem. bers were present to listen to the re. ports and participate in the exerises of the evening.
 Reports presented by the retiring officers showed the affairs of the com pany to be in satisfactory condition.
 Two new members were admitted, both married men; David Roger and Theron Perkins.
 The following officers were elected
 President Geo:ge S. Mather.
 Vice president, Louis J. Streck.
 Secretary, Allyn Fuller.
 Treasurer, Harry A. Holt. Foreman, Frank A. Whiting.
 First Assistant Foreman, F. M. Brewer.
 Second Assistant Foreman, H. S. Lathrop.
 House Committee, L. J. Streck, O. T. Vosburgh, o. F. Hitchcock.
 Finance Committee, F. A. Whiting, F. M. Brewer, H. s. Lathrop.
 Chemical Committee, H. A. Holt, l.. A. Caldwell, J. W. Morris.
 A com mittee w as appointed to canvas the possibility of the company present. ing minstrel performance later in the season.
 It was voted to purchase additional equipment to consist of coats, lan' terms and hose nozzle.
 It was reported that after the last fire someone neglected to return one of the lanterns from the chemical engine. If such a lantern is at any of the homes in the village, the company would be glad of it's return to the Hose house.
 Refreshments were served after the meeting.
Connecticut western news., 1916-12-14
MRS. F. s. PARSONS
Passing Away of Former Canaan Lady
 at Thomaston.

Eva Corbit Parsons, wife of Dr. F. $. Parsons, died at their home in Thomas ton, Monday morning, December l, at 10 o'clock. She had been seriously ill for several months. An operation for tumor on the brain, performed early :n the summer, afforded some relief but she never regained health, and for sev- eral weeks past she has been very ill under the constant care of a nurse and the family physician. Everything that medical skill and care that could be given her was employed but without avail.
 Her early life was spent at East Ca in 1898 to Dr. F. s. Parsons. youngest son of George L. Parsons of this town. Their first home was at StapletOn, l.. l.. then in few years removing to Thomaston, this state, where the doctor had built up lucretive practice.
 Mrs. Parsons was very popular in the social life of the community, always ready to assist in every way possible and she will be greatly missed by a large circle of friends.
 She is survived by her husband, son J. Corbit Parsons and her mother, Mrs. Mary 0. Corbit.
 The funeral was held from the family home on High street, Thomaston yes terday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, the interment being in the Thomaston cemetery.
Connecticut western news., 1916-12-14
MRS. TIMOTHY INQUIRE.

In the death of Mrs. Bridget Mo. Guire, widow of the late Timothy Mo- Guire, Canaan loses another of its older r. idents. MT. and Mrs. McGuire came to this country from Ireland about 48 years ago and settled in Shef. field, where they lived only short time coming to Canaan and renting the house now occupied by John Beck until their home north of the village, was being built. About six years ago the family moved back to the village, sell ing the homestead to an Italian family and purchasing house of E. s. Pease, which they now occupy.
 Seven children were born to them, five of whom survive their mother Martin and Mary of Hartford; Timothy, Catherine and James of Canaan; one grandson, Timothy. lives in Hartford. She has one sister living, Mrs. Cum ningham in Ireland. MT. Mcclure died October 26, 1892.
 For several years Mrs. McGuire has been an invalid, but she had the de. voted care of her children. The daughter Catherine giving her whole time to the care of her mother.
 The funeral was held at St. Joseph s church, Friday morning the church being filled with relatives and friends attesting to the esteem in which the deceased was held. Father Ambrose of Winsted, with Father Donahue, pas. tor, and Father Rizo, curate celebrated the Requiem High Mass.
 Tha ,,,noio for tba Naaes ,,,az l,x Mrs. Katherine Fitzgerald, Misses Emma Kegler and Gertrude Hugins, with Miss May Kegler at the organ. At the offertory Miss Emma Kegler sang 70 Salutarus'' and also at the close of Mass sang Face to Face. :" Michael Kane sang "Some Sweet Day."
 The pail bearers were Peter Nc. Guire, John Devine, John Mansfield, Michael O'Neil, Daniel Sweeney and Bartley KiIlawee. Burial was in the Catholic cemetery. Undertaken J. H. Maloney of Great Burlington having charge of the funeral.
 Among those from out of town to at tend the funeral were MT. and Mrs. T. l.. Shields and daughter Mary of Waterbury; Martin Mcclure of Meri. den; James Mcclure and Mrs. Edward Greer of Millerton: Miss Mary Shuck- crow and Thomas Slattery of Bridge. port; Stephen Riley, Mir. and Mrs. William Shuckerow, Mrs. Shea, Mrs. John Britt, and MT. O'LoughliD of Hartford; Peter Mcclure Of Walling- ford; Mrs. Timothy Farrell of Win. sted; Hugh O'Neil, Mrs. Pendergast of Great Harrington; Mrs. Driscoll of Springfield; Mrs. Venerely and daugh. ter Mary of Housatonic.
Connecticut western news., 1916-12-14
CHRISTMAS GIFTS.

The Connecticut Hospital for the In. sane, at Middletown, is preparing to observe the Christmas holidays with appropriate festivities. Every effort will be made to make the season one of rejoicing, and as an aid to such end, gifts for friendless patients will not only be very acceptable to them, but much appreciated by the management as we'll. Gifts of any description will be welcome, but men patients would greatly appreciate ties, hats, gloves, suspenders or wearing apparel of any kind; while women patients would ap- preciate aprons, ribbons, ties, hats, gloves, etc
 Packages should be addressed to the Connecticut Hospital for the Insane, Middletown, Conn.,, and marked Christmas Donation. If the donor will also write name and address upon the package acknowledgement of the gift will be made.
Connecticut western news., 1916-12-14
THE TURMOIL"
Pleasing Representation of Booth
 TarkIngton's Masterpiece.

With the appearance Friday night of Miss Jean Fowler, impersonator and reader, in the second entertainment in the course given by the Pilgrim church, the managers scored another success.
 To attempt presentation of the story of "The Turmoil" said to be "the biggest, most perfect novel" Booth Harrington has written, required more than the ordinary readers qualifi- cations, but Miss Fowler fully justified the expectations of those who had read the announcements of her ability as an impersonator.
 It was not review of the book. but Miss Fowler's pleasing personality to. gether with the range and quality of her voice, and the changing facial ex. pressions that enabled her to bring be- fore the audience the beseeching moth :. CT, the irate, commanding father or the father changed into a suppliant for his son "Bibbs," at the hands of a mere slip of girl; the hysterical daughter, the son who had given way to drink because of the driving hand of business and more business, and the command of his father.
 They were all there, and those who had read the book felt again the force and charm of the Tarkington people; to those to whom the book was new, it was a revelation of the power of the reader to make real the characters in such story.
 Worthy of special note was Miss Fowler's rendering of the call of the city to "Bibbs;" "Come and work for me, all menl By your youth and your hope summon youl By your age and your despair summon you to work for me yet little, with what strength you have"
 With a quick turn of expression came the closing that touched all, "Busi. ness" was transformed into romance and the reading closed.
 Miss Fowler would be sure of a hearty welcome from a Canaan audi ence should she appear here again.
Connecticut western news., 1916-12-14
BIGGER BANK DEPOSITS IN I9Ie.

About one year ago the public prcss. bankers, merchants and business men. throughout the country started an: agitation advocating systematic saving AS result of this campaign it'is stated that bank deposits have increased very largely during the past twelve monthz, and are liable to continue in the fu- ture. That large proportion of tho wage earners of the state have been saving their mopey is shown by tiIs figures compiled from the annual re- ports of the Savings Banks and TIusy Companies of Connecticut, by State Bank Commissioner Sturges. The re- port of the commissioner shows that the savings deposits have increased during the year $36, 92I ,000, the total now amounting to $357, ell ,092. Of this increase $26, 690,092 was in tho savings banks and l0,227, 900 in the trust companies. The number of de- positors in savings banks increased during the year AT, ,027 and in the say ings departments of the trust com panies 36, 276, making total gain of 77,303. The aggregate number of de- positors in the state is now 693, 655, which is much more than half ths population of the state.
Connecticut western news., 1916-12-14
w. H. M. s.
Interesting Meeting With Special
 Features on Program.

Friday afternoon, the Woman's Home Missionary Society, of the Meth odist church met with the president, Mrs. Ella H. Burns.
 It was one of the most enjoyable ever held by the society, thirteen mem bers were present and the two visitors became members before the meeting closed.
 Following the formal opening several letters were read one from a young Polish woman, who is attending tho McCrumb Training School for Slavic girls, whose scholarship is paid by n member of the society who does not wish her name divulged. Two letters told of her life in the school; the so- ciety pays half her scholarship.
 The singing of "In Our America" composed, by Mrs. kmma Rodemeycr Wait for the Troy Conference, was N feature enjoyed by all; more so because of the fact that the author will always be counted as one of the members of this socitey.
 Mrs. G. l.. Parsons, Mrs. Scutt aud Miss Roraback told many interesting things about the work in Chinese schools in California and the Sinuk and Nome, Alaska schools. Mrs. Travis and Mrs. Stevens gave an interesting impromptu dialogue in which Mra Travis as Mrs. Paxton converted Mira Stevens as Barstow, who disliked work and considered missions "bores" into an ardent worker for Orientals.
 The stories of work in Alaska, Chinese and Japanese quarters and in Hawaii, were made more vivid by ths artistic poster, the work of Miss Do- Hart. Actual photographs were group ed around a scroll which explained the pictures. Characteristics of the homn countries of the people were portrayed by hand painted scenes. All werp grouped under the Stars and Stripes significant of the cosmopolitan AmerA- can of today.
 Last but not least on the program, the ladies told of the ways each had earned her dollar for missions; by self denial in some cases, by doing unac- customed work, by sewing, embroider- ing, playing, teaching, talking, baking and finding, each had secured the dollar they cheerfully gave that it might go to help some less fortunate sister 0r child to a chance for better things.