davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-05-17
u. S. DESTROYER
IN BATTLE OFF
BRITISH COAST
Squadron Ready For Action
In U-Boat Zone
VESSELS PUT TO SEA
British Officials Silent on Result of
skirmisb-Fleet Warmly
Greeted

| Queenstown May ia squadron
Of American torpedo-boat destroyers
has safely crossed the Atlantic and
is patroling the seas in war service
The American inavy's actual entry in
to the war zone has already been pro
ductiye of a brush between a destroy
er and a German underwater boat,
according to an announcement by the
British admiralty, but the result OF
it has not been made public. accord
ing to a dispatch from Queenstown
last night.
The destroyer squadron arrived
here after an uneventful voyage
across the Atlantic. but almost I'M
mediately after a formal exchange OF
greetings with the British naval Of
ficials put TO sea again for the hard
work that is before it.
A crowd of several hundred persons
some of them carrying tiny American
flags, lined the water front and
cheered the destroyers from the
moment they first sighted the hotilla
until it reached the dock. The crowd
cheered again when, a few minutes
later, the American senior officer
came ashore to greet the British
senior officer and Wesley Frost,
American consul, who had come down
to the dock TO welcome the hotilla.
Everything was done in simple, bust
ness like manner. There was an en-
tire absence Of formality.
The commander of the British
lotilla was waiting on board his snip
and sent wireless greetings to the
American units as soon as they hove
in sight steaming in long line into
the harbor After the exchange OF
shore greetings and when the British
commander had congratulated the
American officers on their safe voyage
he asked; when will you be ready
for business?"
I'VE can start at once" the Ameri-
can commander replied promptly
This response. so characteristically
American. surprised the British com
mander. who said he had not ex-
pected the Americans would be ready
to begin work on this side so soon
after their long voyage. When he
had recovered from his surprise he
made short tour of the destroyers
and admitted that the American tars
looked prepared.
yes" replied the American com
I'VE made preparations OIL
the way over. That is why we are
ready"
The equipment on board the de
stroyers was found to be in excellent
and remarkably well suited
to the requirements on the other side
Of the ocean
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-05-17
lkcENDIARY FIRE
Started at Industrial School at Yer
oennes.


Vergennes May. 15.-Fire was dis.
covered in the large two-story build.
ing, known as the old arsenal and an
old land mark in Vergennes, used as
a school building at the Vermont In.
dutrial school. shortly after o'clock
this morning by Samuel w. Paine,
night fireman at the school who saw
the smoke pouring from the building
and Immediately gave the alarm. The
building, which is stone structure,
has a basement, and it was here the
fire originated.
There is a small hall which divides
the shCe repairing shop and a wood
working repair shop. and into this
hall had been placed several barrels
Of paper which had been taken from
The Enterprise and Vermonter Office
early in the afternoon to be made up
INTO bales, the school having recently
purchased a baler and the fire bears
all appearances of having been the
work of an incendiary The night
watchman on his regular rounds
passed the building at 2.30, and there
was no evidence of fire at that time.
The basement door had been left un.
locked and when the fire was discov
cred all of the barrels we're ablaze.
The flames shot up into the second
hall and into the school rooms, dam
aging the interior, the total loss be-
ing approximately about $500. The
school fire department soon had two
streams playing on the burning build
ing and with the aid rendered by the
city water department. the fire was
soon eXtinguished
Prowlers have been discovered
about the school recently and the
superintendent has been exceedingly
careful
A later report from Judge Weeks
says that an inventory Of the shoes
was taken May 12 and the one taken
today shows 80 pair OF shoes missing
He thinks the fire was set to cover
up the theft. He is sure none Of the
boys are guilty from the fact that all
were in their rooms with the doors
locked.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-05-17
SECOND ANNUAL
BANQUET Of ST.
ANDREW COURT
Daughters of Isabella Met al
Putnam House Last Night
ABOUT FIFTY PRESENT
Mrs. Prendergast Presdes-Greetines
from Other Courts-Officers
Elected for Coming Year.

The second annual banquet Of
court st. Andrew, Daughters of Isa-
bella, was held at the Putnam house
Wednesday evening with an attend
ance of about fifty members and
guests. Marguerites constituted the
floral decorations and a red, white
and blue color seheme was carried
out The fayors were red and white
baskets.
The exercises opened by the singing
of the hymn, IT'S the Month of Our
Mother" and prayer was offered by
the worthy chaplain. Rev. T. K. Carty.
At the postpradial exercises Mrs. p. j..
Prendeggast presided as toastmaster
In the absence of the grand regent,
Mrs. d. A. Guiltinan, the speakers were
Rev. Fr. Carty; Miss Margaret
Hayes, financial secretary, "Our
Court; Rev Charles e. Provost
Miss Flood, greetings from st. Mary
court of Hoosick Falls; Mrs. John Gil
RAIN ELtttluSS libIi L an AAdNSh NS"tA
and a recitation: Miss Elizabeth
Leahy, prophecies, Stepping Stones
of the Order; Rev. Thomas j. Burke
Of North Bennington; Miss Bridgie
Leonard, "Womans Place in Times OF
War; Miss Ella Murray, Greeting
10 the Court; Rev. A. j. Cahill. The
closing number was the singing of the
Star Spangled Banner.
Much of the credit for the success
of the gathering is due to the work
of the committee in charge composed
of Miss Mary Graham, Miss Rose Nor
rissey. Miss Elizabeth Leahy, Miss
Bridget Leonard and Miss Ella Muir
ray. Music was furnished during the
evening by Donnely's orchestra
At the business meeting the follow
ing officers were elected for the com
ing year: Grand regent, Mrs. d. a
vice-regent Mrs. p
financial secretary,
Miss Margaret Hayes: treasurer, Miss
Ella Murray; historian. Miss Frances
prophecies, Miss Elizabeth
Leahy: sentinel, Miss Helen Tracey
Mrs. Ella Purcess; organist |
Miss Mary McGurk; trustees
Mrs. Fred Morhous. Miss Sarah |
OConnor, Mrs. John Carrigan, Miss
Josie Grennan, Mrs. d. A. ward
Mrs. John Campbell.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-05-17
MORE PAY FOR SOLDIERS
House Agrees to Increase for En-
listed Men.

Washington, May 1.-THE confer
ence report on the war army bill wat
| adopted by the House without a rec
ord vote late yesterday, after Rep
| resentative Dent had announced thai
the Senate conferees had agreed tc
the House provision increasing the
pay of enlisted men. Final action
must be taken by the Senate
The section regarding pay as
agreed to by the conferees provides
that all officers and enlisted men of
the forces to be raised by conscription
shall have the same pay, alliances and
pensions as the regular army, and
makes these increases in the pay of
enlisted regulars those receiving
SIS to S21 per month, an increase OF
$15 per months; those receiving $2i,
an increase OF SIP; those receiving
$50, s36 or $40 an increase OF IS;
and those receiving s45 or more, an
increase of So.
The Senate is expected to accept
the conference report today or to-
morrow and then it will 90 to the
president Senator Chamberlain of
Oregon, chairman of the Senate con
ferees, said he had yielded on the
army pay increase only in desire to
hasten final enactment, the insistence
of the House being so stubborn that
continuation of the fight would great
ly postpone raising the new army.
The Senate had voted q smaller in
crease.
Senator Chamberlain said an effort
might be expected when the report is
brought up in the Senate to reduce
the maximum conscription age of 80
years insisted upon by the House and
agreed TO by the conferees. Both the
pay increase section and the Roose
welt volunteer amendment may also
encounter renewed objection.
Plans for beginning registration of
those subject to draft have been
completed by the war department and
ii was announced last night that i'm
upon signature of the bill
by the president the department also
will outline the procedure to be fol-
lowed in bringing the national guard
into the federal service.
Guard regiments now in the federal
feryice may be retained temporarily
at their present local camps and other
units also may be sent to state or 10
cal camps where division or even
army corps training can proceed.
Estimates are being prepared and
tentative contracts made for the sup
plying of approximately 100000 men
in this first force to be composed OF |
and national guard. The es
Inmates are based on three-month
period. however. subject to extension
Is the force increases. All of these |
must be completed and |
he armies be we'll advanced in train |
ng before the first 100000 men Sc
ected under the draft bill are called !
% the colors.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-05-17
ALLIES HURL
TEUT0NSBACK
ON 3 FRONTS
British, Macedonian and ltal-
ian Lines Advance
FRENCH HOLD POSITION
Great Sweep to Adriatic Goes On
With 1875 Men and Many Guns
Captured.

London, May 16.-Except for a
French local reverse on the Aisne
front, military operations in the last
twenty-four hours greatly favored the
Entente. Advances on three fronts
British, Italian and Macedonian
are reported.
The British, according to dispatches
wrested from the Germans most Of
the ground in Bullecourt lost to them
in yesterdays violent Teuton counter
drive.
The French withstood terrific new
drive by the crown princes troops on
a front of two and half miles in the
region of Moulin de Leffaux, north
east of Scissors, where the Germans
are trying to turn the French left on
the road of the ladies" At various
points violent fighting was still in
progress tonight Berlin announced
penetration of the French line on
front of one-third of mile by Bran
denburg troops who took 175 prison
ers. The gain was held, the German
war office asserts.
In Macedonia the British recorded
on that theatre by the Entente this
year Thrusting forward from their
Doiran front, which constitutes Gen
eral Sarrail's right wing, they cap
tured the village of Kjapri. At the
same time they stormed ahead on
the Struma front and seized Bulgarian
trenches on a front of three thousand
yards to the southwest of Emekei.
The Italian war office was able to
day to announce the first concrete re-
suits of General Cadorna's spring
drive on the thirty-fve mile front
from Tolmno to the head of the
Adriatic.
up to the present time, says the
official statement from Rome, we
have captured 1876 prisoners, noun
tain battery thirty machine guns and
much material.
East of Gorilla heights, Hill ia,
north of Tuoli, which was strongly
defended, was captured All counter
attacks were repulsed and beaten
back"
This advance carried the Italians
across the Isonzo. On the eastern
bank, dispatches state, number OF |
important heights and villages were |
captured.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-05-17
MRS. HoUeHToN RICE
Highly Respected Resident, Passed
AWAY Wednesday.

Mrs. Houghton Rice died Of pneu-
monia at her home on the SALISBURY
road at $50 o'clock Wednesday. she
was native of SALISBURY. the
daughter of George and Ellen Lane
and had she lived until the oath OF
next month, she would have been 52
years old.
Following her marriage to Mr.. Rice.
she lived for some time in SALISBURY,
but in recent years the residence had
been on the farm on the SALISBURY
road.
Other than her husband. she leaves
four children, George. one of the Ben
nington rural mail carriers, who is
now at Samaritan hospital recovering
from an operation for appendicitis,
Clark, Leslie and Emily. the three lat
ter residing at home.
Mrs. Rice was a woman of the high
est character, loving wife and moth
er and kind neighbor and the news
of her death will be received with sin
cere regret of a large circle of ac-
duaintances. The funeral will be
held Saturday at o'clock from the
home. Burial will be in the Hinsdell
vile cemetery.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-05-17
ODD FELLOWS GATHER
Annual Meeting of Order in Progress
at Rutland.

Rutland, May 15.-With the annual
meeting of the department council
Patriarchs Militant. parade of all
Odd Fellows. competitive drill OF
the cantons, work in the Rank OF
Chivalry, an honorary degree, and the
usual ball of the Patriarchs, the mem
bers of the |. o. O. +. fraternity had
a busy day here today on the occasion
OF the opening OF the annual conven-
ton of the grand bodies Col w. T..
Frost OF Bennington was in charge or
the days program.
The routine business of the canton
occupied the morning session. The
officers elected were as follows: Pres
ident, Colonel Frost; vice president,
G. A. Metcalf of Brattleboro; clerk,
Calvin Endress of Bennington; treas
urer. Charles G. Staples of Brattle-
boro. A resolution of sympathy was
adopted on the death of Major A. j.
Tenney Of St. Adams.
There we're about 135 canton mem
bers and 200 other Odd Fellows in
the parade, the cantons taking part
being: Franklin, St Adams; Cres-
cent, St. Johnsbury; Lafayette, Bur
lington; Vinton. Barre Palestine,
Skitchawaug, Bellows
Falls; Woodstock. Woodstock: Rut.
land. Rutland; Bennington, Benning.
ton The Burlington canton had the
largest delegation of any visiting or
der, over %. Rutland was represent
ed by 45 men.
The procession was followed by
drill, for which the judges
were Gen. Arthur c. Wilcox of Green
field. Mass. Lieut.-Col. G. II. Metcalf
Of Brattleboro and Major f. II. Big
gins of Springfield, Mass Rutland
won the cup in the drill with Barre
second.
There were 800 dancers at the
hall tonight
Tomorrow the Grand Lodge will
have their session Thursday is en-
day and on Friday morn
ng the Rebekah State assembly viii
nave business session. Various
iocial events are planned for the
week
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-05-17
COUNTY w. c. T. U.
Wires President Wilson Urging Adop-
ton of Prohibition as War Measure

At the evening session of the Coun-
ty w. c. T. L. convention held in the
Baptist church at North Benning-
ton, Tuesday. the special music
was much enjoyed by all-there
we're two vocal solos by Miss
Golledge Of Pownal and euphonium
solo by Harold Masefeld accompanied
by Mrs f. j Hart. The lecture by
Mrs. Luce of Boston was very inter
esting
The following county officers were
elected to serve for the ensuing year;
President, Mrs. a. F. Smith, Manches-
ter Center; 1st. vice pres. Mrs. w r.
White, North Bennington; md, vice
president, Miss Mabel Winch Arling-
on; secretary. Mrs Frances Rastell,
Manchester Center: treasurer, Mrs.
W. R. Mattison, North Bennington.
The following night message was
dispatched to President Wilson: The
mothers assembled in annual conven-
tion Of the Woman's Christian Tenn
Derance Union of Bennington County,
Vermont, earnestly request that pro
hibition become a war measure, for
The sake of their soldier boys; realiz-
ing, If they are to return to them
clean and temperate, it will be be-
cause our nation has safeguarded
them in this crisis
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-05-17
26 VESSELS SUNK
U-Boats Increase Destruction Over
Last Week.

London, May 16-Eighteen British
were sunk during the last week, says
the official summary of shipping
losses issued today Five merchant
men of less than 1,600 tons were
sunk, together with three fishing yes
sells. The statement says:
'All nalities-Arriyals, 2,56S;
sailings, 1852.
British vessels, sunk by mine or
submarine, over 1900 tons. includ
ing one previously, IS; under 1900
tons, 5.
British merchantmen unsuccessful
ly attacked, including five previously
10.
British fishing vessels sunk, g."
The statement of the British Ad.
miralty shows the losses for the
week have been cut considerable
more than half as regards the mum
ber of British vessels sunk. las
weeks report showing siXty-two yes
sells, as compared with twenty-siX in
the current statement.
In large vessels the decrease was
from twenty-four to eighteen. The
most marked drop, however, was in
the number of smaller vessels de
stroyed. Last Wednesday twenty-five
merchant vessels of less than 1,00C
tons were reported sunk, in contrast
with the five in this weeks report
while the number of fishing Graf
dropped from sixteen to only three.
The high-water mark in the destruc
ton of large vessels was reached in
the report of April 26, forty such YES
sells were announced as destroyed.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-05-17
ROOSEVELT WILL COMMAND
N. Y. Troops if Ignored by the War
Department.

Albany. March 17.-"In the event
that my offer of volunteers for ser
vice in France is not accepted at
Washington, will accept Governor
Whitman's offer of a commission as
major general of volunteers to raise
one or more divisions of troops.
This vas the statement made by
Colonel Theodore Roosevelt to news
paper men at the Executive Mansion
Yesterday after he had two-hour
conference with Governor Whitman
on the war situation. The Colonel
declared that while his men would be
recruited in New York state. they
would not of necessity all come from
this state.
Colonel Roosevelt was asked about
a story printed in New York yester-
day terming his volunteer force a
paper" army.
Let them try me if they think so,
said the Colonel with wartime grin
such as he might have mounted San
Juan hill with. THAT story was a
pure fake. That's it, pure fake, |
said, and am a sticker for pure Eng
hsh."
Later the Colonel declared the only
difficulty he was having was to keep
the number Of his recruits down suifi-
ciently to get them into one division.
Everyone had a good laugh when
Colonel Roosevelt said he told Presi-
dent Wilson tnat some people would
like to see me go to war, hoping l
might not come back"
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-05-17
MUCH LAWLEssNEss REPORTED
Soldiers at Bellows Falls Have Busy
Time,

Bellows Falls, May 15.-Additional
soldiers continue to be placed on duty
near the Robertson paper mill and
the plant of the Boston Dairy COM
pany. Last week soldier was at
tackled near the first named mill.
Saturday night railroad men report
ed to Capt NJ. j. Henry that they had
seen a man entering the creamery
through window. A thorough search
was made by squad of soldiers but
the fellow could not be located al
though it could be seen that a man
with wet and muddy shoes had recent
ly entered the building The mystery
is one which is difficult to solve.
Early this morning two shots were
first east of the Connecticut river.
No explanation of the shots could be
learned by local people who made an
investigation.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-05-17
ADOLPH BECKER
GIVEN VERDICT
OF ONE DOLLAR
Damages for Horse Killed BY
Order Of Humane Officer
COSTS LIMITED TO $5
Litigation May Have Developed Out
of misunderstanding by Both
Parties.

After being out from o'clock in
the afternoon until after 8 Wednesday
evening, the jury in the case of
Adolph Becker VS.. Susie Rogers and
Herbert w. Burgess, brought in a ver-
dict for the plaintiff to recover one
dollar and costs. The court fixed the
collectable costs at So.
Trial of the case was begun Tues
day forenoon and the evidence and
arguments were not concluded until
Wednesday afternoon. The plaintiff
in the case, who formerly conducted
small farm on the Salisbury road,
brought suit to collect damages for
The loss of a horse which it was
claimed was shot by MIR. Burgess,
veterinary, acting under the instruc-
lions of Miss Rogers, the agent for
the humane society
Miss Rogers and Mr.. Burgess both
Testified that they secured verbal
permit from the owner Of the horse
20 kill the animal, but admitted that
they did not secure written permit.
It was conceded by consel that with
out permission of some nature the
veterinary and the humane officer
would have had no authority to dis
pose Of the horse. On the other hand
It was recognized that there might
have been q misunderstanding on the
pr.it oi 1if Becker at, the time the
permission. which the defendants
claim they secured was given.
Several witnesses were introduced
to testify in relation to the condition
of the animal and two outof-town
veterinaries testified concerning the
condition OF the leg bones OF the
horse which had been exhumed for
the purpose of exhibits.
Ii was evident from the amount of
time taken by the jury in its deliber-
ltions that some difficulty was ex-
perienced in reaching a verdict.
The case was originally docketed
for trial in county court, but through
an order made by Judge W. w.
Miles. who presided at the December
term. was transferred to the munich
nal court with an understanding that
a Judge from another jurisdiction
should preside. Judge T. Z. O'Brien
of the Bellows Falls municipal court
was selected and conducted the case.
Henry Chase and Frank c. Archibald
appeared for Mr.. Becker and X. r.
Healy and d. A. Guiltinan for MISS
Rogers and Mr. Burgess.
Both sides claim to have come out
best in the case and so both ought to
ne satisfied. The plaintiff got a YER
lict but it is so small that it doesn't
even start in paying what the case
las cost him.
Miss Rogers, for years, has done a
most important work in this COM
nunity in stopping abuse of dumb
animals and it is to be hoped that
,he will not be scared out of this
work because the jury thought she
Exceeded her authority by dollars
worth in this case.
The fact that the jury took so long
O decide indicates that it was COM
,romise verdict, probably reached
.fter much haggling.
Judge OBrien left for his home IN
3ellows Falls this morning. Botn
ides say he was eminently fair and
ourteous and gave the best of salts
action.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-05-17
ROOSEVELT AT ALBANY
Holds Conference With Governor and
Discusses War Situation.

Albany, May 16.-Theodore Roose-
welt arrived here shortly after 1880
a. m. today for conference with
Governor Whitman. Asked if he
would discuss the subject of his visit,
the former President replied;
ITS impossible"
Prior to the conference Governor
Whitman said the two planned to talk
over the general war situation. The
executive was reminded that he had
authority to appoint officers for the
state service. He replied that some
time ago he had offered to appoint
Mr.. Roosevelt a Major General of the
New York National Guard.
THAT offer still holds" the Gov
ernor added.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-05-17
FORT ETHAN ALLEN CROWDED
About 200 Men viii Arrive Daily Un
til Regiments are Full.

Burlington, May 15.-Large mum
bers of recruits are arriving at Fort
Ethan Allen. 4410 men being needed
to fill the regiments now being organ
lied at the fort. The men will arrive
in grouas Of about 200 a day until the
required quota has been received.
The barracks at the fort are filed
to overhowing and all of the avail
able tents are in use, even the riding
hall being used for sleeping quarters.
a large number of tents are expected
soon.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-05-17
HYGENIC MARRIAGE LAW
Governor of New York Signs Mar
riaue License Measure.

Applicants for marriage licenses
hereafter must make affidavit they
are not infected with certain diseases
and, if so infected within five years,
that they have submitted to labora-
tory tests which showed they are
cured This is required by a law
which became effective yesterday by
the signature of Governor Charles S.
Whitman.
The statement must be sworn to by
both applicants for a marriage IL
CenSe.
The bill carrying this amendment
to the domestic relations law was put
through the legislature by Senator
George H. Whitney of Saratoga, chair
man of the public health committee
of the senate.