Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1917-05-21
WESTERLY AND VICINITY
Statement of William Higgins Concerning Drowning of john
Cleary Led Two Arrests onstabuary Secures
81 900 Appropriation From Town Counci-Buriai of
joseph F. Acknowledgements for Mails Block
Island.

William Higgins. Of Stonington
borough while in PawcatCEk saloon.
Saturday morning. made the declara-
ton that he had no sleep OF conse-
quence for a week, that he was con-
scious- stricken, and feared he would
go insane, unless he was relieved of
mental burden that was making life
unbearable. He said he was with John
Cleary, of New London. the night be
fore, Cleary was taken from the wa
ter at the Stonangton wharf dead. The
medical examiner found it to be case
of accidental drowning, but Higgins
believes it was q case of killing He
said that on the night before Cleary
was found dead in the water, he
CFIiegins), and John Andrews. com
monty known as Cape Ann and two
know but whom he could identify,
were drinking together. The five
men went to the wharf together, and
Cleary got into fight, and, according
to Higgins, Cape Ann struck Clearly
on the head with something besides his
fist and CleaTy was knocked over
board Higgins said he attempted to
interfere and was knocked down and
given q drubbing by the other two fell
lows. Higgins was in a greatly ex-
cited condition when he told the story
in the saloon and declared he could
get no contentment OF mind until he
reported the facts to the proper author
tiles.
He was told to tell his story to
Casey. to Deputy Sheriff Casey, and
he did forthwith The sheriff be-
Iieved Higgins related a conscious
stricken story. one that is entitled to
consideration. He went to Stoning-
ton borough and consulted Deputy
Sheriff BroUghton and Medical Exam
iner Little. The result was the arrest
of John Andrews, alias Cape Ann"
pending a thorough investigation.
Committee of the Westerly Con-
tabuIary, composed Of these patriotic
citizens, Colonel Charles H Ledward,
Perry, Arthur NJ. Cottren. Herman
Dock and Israel r. Sheldon appeared
before the town council and advocated
a town appropriation to aid in the
uniforming and equipping of the local
constabulary, organized to meet erner-
gencies liable to arise during the war.
After a. general discussion. the coun-
Gil voted an appropriation of $1,000, no
part OF which is to be used until the
constaDulary il fully orsa nized and
every member qualified: and that then
the money be disbursed under the oil
rection of President Maurice W. Flynn.
and Co1Ir siHnen Francis g. HasweH
and THOMAS z. Robinson, acting as
committee This sum IS not sufficient
to fully arm and equip the local con-
stabu1ary, when properly organized,
but it is believed that a part of the
emergency fund of $3.50, 600 can be Sc
cured and the balance paid by private
subscriptions.
It is the desire of the local consta,b-
ulary to be az efficient as the Connec-
ticut Home Guard just across the riv-
er in Pawcatuck, which is fully sup
piled by the state This is hardy pos
sFb1e as the Pawcatuck company is a
unit of a completely organized military
body. every member en1isting for two
years and subject to duty in any part
of the state. This force numbers
about g 900 men. more than double the
IF Cnpne1+Ior1f
Guard, and it is prepared to defend
the state when the National Guards
men are called to duty elsewhere.
Acting under a request from Gov
erner BeeclzTnan. President FIv-an ap-
pointed the members of the town coun-
ell a committee on local safety
Upon their own request herman
Dock and Francis w Lawson wera ap-
pointed special constahles wz-tn,zt
pay
According &c the requirements Of the
seIectiVs draft for 10000 men from
20 to 30 years inclusive Westerly's
quota VIII be S. Under the interpre-
tation Of a paragraph in the bill by a
local attorney, there wifi be no se1ec-
tive draft in Westerly within the first
call. as the town has already furnished
moro than 100 men Here is the par
agrsPi1 referred to:
Quotas for the several states, ter
ritOrfes, an dtfe District of Columbia,
or ub-dfvis5ons thereof shall be de-
tsrmined in proportion to the popula-
tons thereof. and credit shall be given
TO any state, territory. district, or Sub
division thereof, for the number of
men who were IN the military service
Of the United States as members of
The National Guard on April 1, 1917, or
who have since that date entered the
military service OF the United States.
from any such state. territory. district.
D suh-d3yzE3en, either as members Of
me regular eru1V or the national
guard
Rhode Island Il, ready for the reg