davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-08-18
COURT REHEARS
PURSE DISPUTE,
FINES CHAMPINE
Rearrest Of Man Acquitted
In City Court Results In
Punishment.

Spectators in the city court this
morning were dumfounded when
Assistant Prosecutor Richard Swain,
pressing charge of the theft of a
purse against Frank Hudson Cham
pine, demanded to know from the
defendant if he had not offered the
stolen purse and it's contents of SIS
to Attorney Samuel Reich, who OBJ
tanned he's acquittaI last Tuesday
morning. to pay attorney fees.
Champine, who worked in the
Remington Arms Co. andslives in Olive
street, was arrested last Monday
charged with stealing a purse from
John DeMarca "a fellow employe.
Judge Frank Wilder acquitted the
defendant. Information later reach
ed the ears of the court that Chain
pine Immediately following the close
from his person and offered it to the
lawyer to pay for the services of the
latter.
Judge Wilder then ordered the de-
fendant rearrested and he refused to
Judge Frederic Bartlett sit at 1890
today. In closing the case today At
torney Reich told Judge Frederic
Bartlett that the fact that the Farmer
had published story in connection
with the stolen purse was response
BILE for Champines rearrest.
"I think we are here today because
of that clipping in the Farmer" as
serted Attorney Reich.
What clipping?'' asked the court
with emphasis. "'I saw no clipping.
That's got nothing to do with the case.
Pm here considering the evidence
coming before me-
The first witness in the case fore
man at the Remington Arms testified
CONTINUED on Page e.,
The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-08-18
Use of Church Refused,
Junior Naval Vols. Meet
Monday in Boys Club

Because of the opposition by Rev.
e. F. Weise to the activities of H. r.
ARNOLD, of 466 Anson street, who pro-
poses to organize in Bridgeport the
Connecticut Junior Naval Volunteers,
Mr.. Arnold has obtained, the Bridge
port Boys club. instead of Grace M.
E. church, for meeting for recruits
on Monday evening.
The meeting will be called at 7.sa
with Mr.. Arnold presiding. Mr.. Ar
mold is connected with the Bullard
Machine Tool Co., in the foundry de-
partment. He expects to train youths
too young now for naval service. in
the fundamentals of naval knowledge
that when they reach the proper age
they may have additional opportuni-
ties for advancement in the navy or
ganizations.
Pastor Weise opposed the organiza-
ton as being part of war program
and as he is a copscientious objector
to war, he refused the use of his
church for the training of the organ
fzation.
The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-08-18
WILL
BE HELD MONDAY
ON LAKE DISPUTE
Vice President Keppler Of
international Union Ex-
pected Here.

J. J. Kepp1er, vice president of the
International Association of Machin-
lists, was expected to come to this city
this afternoon and confer with the of
ficers of the local union on the Lake
strike.
R. M. McWade. conciliator of the
Department of Labor, interviewed the
machinists' committee yesterday after
noon at the Stratfield, and obtained,
their view of the Lake situation. An
attempt today to arrange conference
with the Lake officials was unsuccess-
full as some of them were out of the
city. A meeting was arranged for
Monday. asse'.s sst.ai Rs So
The machinists are holding a field
day today, at which Vice President
Keppler was expected. Visitors came
from New Haven, New Britain and
other cities in the state.
The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-08-18
NEW YORK FLYER
NEARLY WRECKED
BY OPEN SWITCH

Bethel, Aug. 1S-Railroad officials
are investigating the cause of a mar
row escape from a serious accident
here last evening when a Pittsf1eld-
New York express, southbound, went
through an open switch leading from
the main track to a siding. The first
intimation that the trainmen had that
the switch was not set properly was
when the heavy train 1urched from
the main track and took the siding.
The train was stopped before it reach
ed the end of the siding. but railroad
men said the escape from disaster
was one Of the closest they had ever
witnessed.
The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-08-18
Rescue Missionaries
From Chinese Bandits

Peking. Thursday, Aug. 16.-Twelve
American missionaries and "a. dozen
other foreigners. mostly women and
children, who were besieged by Chi
hese bandits at Tabu1, a town about
160 miles northwest of Peking, have
been rescued by officers of the United
States Marine corps.
Capt. Calvin B. Matthews and Lieut..
Thomas M. Luby of the Marine corps.
who are attached to- the Picking lega-
lion, left Kalgan early this month.
accompanied by. a detachment of Chi
tnese soldiers, to bring out the besieged
missionaries. Word was received here
today that the American officers and
the missionaries had arrived in Kali
gan from Tabu1. Kalgan is about
half way between Pel<ing and Tabul.
The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-08-18

The explosion disrupted telephone
ana telegraph communication with
Rigaud, making it dif1cult to obtain
information. Trzffic on the Canadian
Pacific railroads. Ottawa Montreal
line, which passes close to the plant
has been suspended. From points
rear Rigaud it was learned that three
explosions took place. The first was
heard in vaudreui1 20 miles away. II
was followed by two others in quick
succession.
Rigaud is a post village in vaud-
reuil county Que, onthe Riviere A la
craisse, As miles southwest OF Mon
.treaN It had a population prior to
the war Of about 1000 persons.
Trainmen who got, away from the
scene of the explosion reported that
40 houses in Dragon, a little village
near the powder plant, occupied by
workmen, were razed by the forces
of the explosion.
The whole countryside was covered
at 10 o'clock with dense copper col
ored smoke. A special train Of doc
The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-08-18
WILL
DISCUSS, POPE'S
PEACE PROPOSAL
Answer Will Be Delayed to
Allow Conferences Be-
tween Central Powers.

London, Aug. 18-Pope Benedict's
peace proposals and the general po-
1itical situation will be discussed by
the main committee of the German
reichstag when it is convened Aug. 2t.
according to a Berlin dispatch trans
mitted through Copenhagen to the
Exchange Telegraph Co.
Copenhagen, Aug. 1S-The German
foreign Office is not yet ready tc an
nounce the governments standpoint
on the pope's peace proposals. and an
answer probably will be delayed. con-
siderably while the four Central pow
ers are trying to reconcile somewhat
divergent views and interests regard
ing peace. An article in the Cologne
Gazette perhaps forecasts the Ger
mad point Of view, declaring it is the
duty of all governments to support
any, effort at honorable mediation,
and pointing out that the pope's action
is in line with previous efforts OF
Germany.
It is evident that Austria-Hungary
will throw its full weight in favor OF
an affirmative answer to the pope
welcome proposal, just as Bulgaria,
which recently has been manifesting
extreme sensitiveness on Austro-Ger-
man discussion of the future of Mace
donia, will fatty and vehemently OPP
pose any acceptance Of the return OF
occupied areas. The note. as sent d.
rect to the emperor by the pope. was
published in the morning papers.
While the Germania, as BELTS 1ts
representative Catholic character, is
decidedly optimistic regarding the
prospects for tangible results, most
papers are rather skeptical as to the
chances that it win lead to anything
in the immediate future. At least
the pan-German papers insist that
peace on the proposed basis is utterly
impossible.
The Berlin Tages Zeitung in its COM
ment says the evacuation OF Belgium
and all occupied regions of France
is impossible just because 1ndepeno-
ent Belgium henceforth would be an
irreconcilable enemy Of Germany and
# must be subordinated to the securaty
of Germany's frontiers. Even tne
plan of the former German chancei-
lor. DR.. Won Bethmann-Holiwe TOT
a. Polish protectorate is rejected be-
cause. the Poles have shown tnem-
selves ungrateful for favors granted
to them.
The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-08-18

tors and nurses left montreal Tor Lne
scene of the disaster.
Passengers on a Canadian Pacific
train which passed the scene of the
diseaster placed the number of dead
from the first explosion at 20.
The officials here of Curtis & Har-
vey, limited, lacked information as to
the cause of the explosion. It was
said that probahly 300 persons were
working in the section of the plant
wher the first explosion occurred. iIt
was believed by the officials that the
two other explosions were caused by
fire that spread from the first.
The passengers said it was impos-
sible to obtain definite figures, as hum
dreds rushed into the open country
when the first explosion occurred and
new had returned wneh the train left
for Montreal.
The extent of the explosion may be
judged by the fact that two farm
houses more than a mile from the
plant were blown down. AT noon the
village lof Dragon was blazing and it
looked as if 1t would be destroyed.
The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-08-18
MOBILIZATION DAYS
FOR NATIONAL ARMY
MEN ARE SELECTED
Three Wednesdays Appoint.
ed For Bridgeporters to
Gather.

Mobilization days for. the Bridge
port members of the new national
army were announced today by Gov.
Holcomb and are three Wednesdays
two weeks apart, starting Sept. 5. On
that day the first contingent of the
national army, or 80 per cent Of the
states quota, will entrain for Camp
Devens, Aver, Mass, there to become
members Of the 10th Division, N. A.
U. S., under Major General Hodges.
The second contingent will leave
Wednesday, Sept. 19 and the last on
Wednesday, Oct. 8.
The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-08-18

was repulsed by artillery fire.
The contact between the French
and British armies was excellent.
The prisoners accounted for to date
totalled more than $3.50 and this fig
ure represents considerably more
than the entire Trench casualties
along their whole front in Thurs
days offensive. The remarkably
small casualty list was due to the fine
work of the French artillery, prelim-
mary bombardment Of German posi-
tions being the most effective, and
the advance was made under a perfect
ibarrage.
AS was the case with the British
front about Langemarck, the German
barrage was totally inadequate and
their counter battery work, on which
SO much depends gave no trouble.
French counter battery firing resulted
in silencing a large number Of enemy
guns, and SO as a result the French
have been little troubled by gunfire
in carrying out consultations.
The work of the French engineers
in this difficult terrain, which as 1t
approaches the river Is a veritab1e
morass, had been thrust forward
swiftly, and when 1t came to bringing
the flooded Steenbeke for crossing at
dawn Thursday there was not the
slightest delay in getting numerous
bridges over.
The French air service played an
Important part in the advance, going
ahead of the infantry all along the
line and keeping up the contact of the
patrols at the height Of two or three
hundred metres. The German air
men who ventured in the direction OF
the French were driven back and the
air was cleared of enemy machines.
In addition to patrol work the French
tair1nen did good execution with ma
fI,olzine gun and bomb on epslny re-
dou BITS.
From section of the French front
scounes word that the renowned avi-
ator, Capt. George Guynemer, brought
down two more German machines
making So that he has accounted for.
The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-08-18
ALLIED TROOPS REPUESE ALI. ENEMY
ATTACKS, FIRMLY ESTABLISHING LINES

London, Aug. 18-The repulse Of
enemy attacks on newly acquired
British positions near Lens is an
nounced by the war Office this morn
ing. Several powerful attacks were
successfully withstood with heavy
losses to the hostile. forces. The ar
tillery fighting east of Ypres is de-
veloping great intensity.
The statement reads:
'"The enemy today delivered another
counter attack against our recently
captured position Immediately north
west of Lens. His troops again were
completely repulsed after sharp fight
ing, in which we secured a few pris-
The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-08-18

This doesn't mean that no men viii
be exempt, but that the exemptions
will be allowed to stand only in cases
in which they have been allowed on
stable grounds. The appeal step will
tend to remove any ruffles that might
have been passed over by the district
boards. The cases will be automati-
cally appealed, but the investigators
win concern themselves only with
those in which they have reason to
believe all evidence was not consid-
cred. Differing from local and the
district board in method of procedure,
the investigators will make inquiry
into special cases and will not have
to depend on aff1davits.
/ Married men of Bridgeport breath
ed a sigh Of relief today when they
read President Wilson's letter to Sem
ator Weeks of Massachusetts in>which
the president declared for a moderate
application of the dependents clause
Of the selective service act. The pub
lication of the letter is believed to be
a tip to Provost Marshal General
Crowder, that while all available men
are desired for service. there is no
desire on the part of the administra-
ton to violate the spirit of the provis-
ion providing exemption for men with
dependents. General Crowder has not
issued statement on the question of
dependents yet this week and his sill
ence following many announcements
each more stringent than the preced-
ing one is considered as approval OF
the course to let ioc1I boards judge
the circumstances presented by in
dividual cases
The ffth division has completed ex-
animation and today is checking up.
TIL ose who have already appeared.
This procedure goes on in the other
districts. Announcement was made
today of the cali for more men in
the third division and they will ap-
pear next week.
New business before the district
board today Included:
Eight appeals from decisions of Di-
vision Board No. 2, Bridgeport.
Certified list from Division No. 2 of
this city of 79 men who have been
exempted or discharged.
Certified list of the acceptance of
Benny Hertz, of Norwalk. pugilist
and aspirant for the Connecticut
featherweight championship.
| Certified list of AZ exempted or dis
charged by Norwalk board.
Certified list of 46 exempted or dis
charged by Danbury board.
An idea of the work the district
board has on hand may be gained
from these facts: Yesterday more
than 500 letters were received; about
a. quarter of these were registered and
contained either clair1s for exemption;
OF affidavits. Everyone requiring an
answer was replied to before the Of
flee closed. In addition the board
gets at the rate of so kilograms day
to say nothing of the calls and teie-
phone calls from Greenwich to An
sonia
Monday will be decision day and
those claiming exemption whose
names were on the first division list
of this city and on a. Norwa1k list will
know what disposition is to be made
Of their cases.
The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-08-18
WILL APPEAL TO
PATRIOTISM TO
COMBAT |. W. W.
Attempt to Discount Effect
Of Threatened Strike of
5000 Men.

Spokane, Wash, Aug. 18-Patriotic
appeals win be made to combat a
threatened strike of Industrial Work
ers OF the World, called for next
Monday in four northwestern states.
The Spokane county council of de-
tense decided today to send speakers
into wheat fields. orchards and lum-
Der camps to urge upon workers the
patriotic necessity of continuing
work.
James Rowan, district secretary of
the I. w. W., said today that $1,000
men would answer the strike call.
The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-08-18
GERMANS THROW WAVE
AFTER WAVE OF TROOPS
AGAINST LOST TRENCHES

British Front in France and Bel
gium, Aug. 1S-German troops de-
livered another sharp but futile
counter attack against a section of
the new Canadian positions northwest
and west of Lens early this morning.
The Germans succeeded in penetrat-
ing the British trenches but were
driven out Immediately as a result
of strenuous hand to hand fighting
which cost the attackers a considera-
Bile number of dead and a few prison.
ers. u
British Front in France and Bel
gium, Aug. 1S.-The fighting Thurs
day at Polgon was unusually desper-
ate. Wave after wave Of the enemy
came surging up against the London
troops, who held on determinedly with
rifle and bayonet until two simultan-
eously counter attacks from different
directions forced them to retreat.
Gradually they withdrew fighting
all the way. Some few of them in
deed we're surrounded and fought un-
til forced to surrender. One young
officer in command of 10 men found
himself encircled by the enemy and
his men being swept by machine gun
fire. The last heard of him was con-
tanned in a message he signalled back
i'm his division saying that his men
were facing certain death and that
he saw no way but to surrender and
save their lives. :
Along most Of the French front II
was comparatively quiet although a
hard local battle was continuing
|sabout a strong German redoubt
a thousand yards southwest OF the
st. Jansbeek river.
In their advance the French surg
ed forward ON either side of this pe.
sition. making a sort OF pocket about
it, and it was expected that the small
German garrison would soon be COM
PEELED to surrender. The Germans
delivered a counter attack on the
French extreme right flank, but this
The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-08-18
TO RECEIVE MEN
BETWEEN 1S AND 40
E. FOR ORDNANCE CORPS

The United States army recruiting
station at Is Fairfield avenue received
notice this morning to send to Fort
Slocum all men between the ages of
18 and 40, having a letter of accept
ance from any chief ordnance officer
for service in the ordnance corps.
The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-08-18
STRIKERS CLOSE
500 Oil WELLS
IN | DISTRICT |

Mcdonald, Pa, Aug. 1s-F1ve hun
dred oil wells in this district were
shut down today as result of a
strike of 200 employees of the South
Pefn Oil Co. The strike is said to
have resulted from the discharge of
four alleged agitators who were lead
ing the employees fight for a, wage
increase OF 20 per cent
The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-08-18
U. S. Reply to Pope
To Be Independent
of Allied Nations

Washington, Aug. 1s.-The reply OF
the United Stataes to the pope's note
will be sent independently and not in
connection with any answer from the
other belligerents. At least this is the
p1a,n at this time aas indicated by
Secretary Lansing.
1t is generally taken to be the fact
that the president will consider the
opinions of the other allies in making
reply and that diplimatic representa-
tives in Washington are exchanging
the views of their governments with
the state department.
The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-08-18
AMERICAN FORCES TO
MOBILIZE In CUBA

Washington, Aug. 1S-Cuba's offer
to provide a mobilization and training
ground for some American forces has
been accepted. The number or de-
scription of the forces to be sent cam
not be disclosed for military reasons.
The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-08-18
GIGANTIC POWDER
PLANT DESTROYED
BY 8 ExPL LOSIONS|

Entire Plant of Curtis p. Harvey, Limited, in
Rigaud, Quebec, Covering Area of Five
Square Miles, Wrapped in Flames Over 20
Killed in First Explosion Alone 40 Houses
Raised in Dragon, Nearby Village Special
Train of Doctors and Nurses Rushed From
Montreal to Scene of Disaster-Full Extent of
Damage Unknown.
The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-08-18
Labor Ready to Get
Lumber For u. s.. Work

Seattle Washington, Aug. 1S-C1ose
70 5000 workers in western Washing
ton lumber camps and mills are ready
20 assist in getting out lumber con-
tracted for government work. accord
ing to statement today by the West
Coast Lumber Mems association.
The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-08-18
Russians On
Offensive In
CauCasians

Petrograd, Aug. 1S-The Russians
have taken the offensive on the Cau-
casian front and have occupied
series of villages, the war office an
nounceS
The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-08-18
FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS READY
To MAKE APPEAL IN ALL CASES
OF EXEMPTIONS GRANTED HERE
Claims of All Men Released From Service to Be
PrObed-Large Increase i'm Number of Ac-
ceptances Expected to Follow-Decisions on
Industrial Claims to Be Announced Monday.

That many exempted from national army service
by will have to file evidence with the district
board to show VIZ the exemption should not be
ruled the opinion today when the federal
Investigators this city received instructions from the
department appeal exemptions granted by local boards
The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-08-18

Montreal Aug 18-A terri fc explosion at the powder
plant of Harvey Ld in Rgaud Quebec, today is
to have heavy loss of fe Five thousand
and employed at the plant which covers an
five square miles Reports received here soon after the
explosion said the plant nearly all in flames.
The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-08-18
HOLLAND MAINTAINS
RESERVE ON PEACE NOTE

Rome, Aug. 1S.-Reports received
from Holland maintain the strictest
reserve concerning the pope's peace
note.
The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-08-18

oners. There was considerable hos
tile artillery activity during the night
in this neighborhood and east Of
Ypres.''
-
Paris, Aug 18-The French last
night made further progress in Bel
gium, north of the road between Blk
schoote and Langemarck, it is an
nounced officially. They captured a
strong point of support east of the
Steenbeke river. German attacks on
the Aisne front were repulsed.
On the Verdun front the French in
brilliant attack recaptured posi-
tions recently taken by the Germans,
completely re-establishing their lines
The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-08-18
THE WEATHER.

Fair tonight and Sunday.