davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-18
CORONER YET TO HEAR TESTIMONY
 OF 90 PERSONS

Fifty additional witnesses will be heard by Coroner Phelan before he completes his investigation of Baby coroner announced today. He has already heard large number but plans to get the stories of all those under arrest
 Those heard so far were frequent CTS of the cabaret and the majority of them were white persons. They were cn the upper floor when the affair started and consequently missed a number of details which are consid- cred important Coroner Phelan thinks the negroes who were on the lower floor and who have not yet been heard, will be able to give a more graphic account of the fracas.
 This afternoon the coroner went to the Water street premises to look at the door through which shots were fired. He wants to ascertain if the revolver could have been extended through the hole in the door and pointed downward or if the shots were fired through the aperture.
 The coroner said he could not be certain when he would resume his hearing because of the difficulty in securing the services of Court Sten- cgrapher George s. Hawley, who is busy with court matters now. But 1t was stated that the hearings will continue for the remainder of the week at least.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-18
PLACE S1O5, ,OOO IN SECURITIES HERE

The Bankers Trust Go. of New York city, announced today that se- curities amounting to the value of $1O5,0O0 had been placed with them which would produce an annual in- come of $7000 This income is to be paid to that Red Cross Chapter in Connecticut, at the rate Of $500 l month during the continuance of the war, that shall make the best show ing during the Christmas Rcd Cross Membership drive. Those who will judge to whom the award shall he made are to be appointed by Charles A. Sabin, president of the Guaranty Trust Co., of New York and are to be three representative citizens of Con- necticut The donor of this fund is not known and his name is being withheld for the present. w. Roscoe Bassick, head of the Red Cross work in this city, said when told of this proposition, that the Bridgeport Chap ter would work mighty hard to get this money. The award is to be made at the end of the drive.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-18
Coal Riot Is QueNed
 By. Police
Crowd of 800 Persons Storms Doors of Fuel Committee and Many Fight for Places at Head of Waiting Line.

Riotous scenes were enacted before the doors of the Bridge port Fuel Committee in the an- nex of the Stratfield Hotel to- day, when a crowd estimated by the police to number 500 persons, fought for places in front of the waiting line. Fear ing the building would be wrecked, A. B. Parker, building agent, sent R call for police.
 Four officers were required to re- store order. Published reports of statements of Carl F. Siemon. chair man, that there is coal aplellty and an erroneous report that coal would be doled out in ton lots are responsi- ble for today's occurrences.
 Crowds began pouring into the Stratfield building before daybreak this morning. Soon several hundred were within the walls and they were | still crowding in, each one fighting, pushing and crowding about. There was wild scramble for places near the doors and the situation began to. | look serious, when Parker seeing the l property in danger of being greatly damaged telephoned for help from l police hadquarters.
 The sight of brass buttons failed to | make any impression and for few minutes it appeared as if the crowd would become defiant. Sergeant. John Browne. assisted by Policeman llEdwar Bolger, soon had the crowd in | order and later two other policemen | arrived They were ordered to form double lines and it was not until g. o'clock that calm was resumed. When the doors opened at g o'clock another outbreak was threatened when the crowd tried to rush through in a body. They were restrained and all was peaceful again.
 Anticipating a long wait and that they would not be served, scores left the building, leaving about 250 in the lines.
 The situation shows little change
 despite the statements of Siemon, who | today persisted that there was plenty of coal and the only trouble is in mak- ing deliveries. Siemon, however, sees no further relief He does not know of any shipments due here by water | or does he believe any will be receiv- ed by rail. When located by report CTS Siemon said he had no statement to make, but consented to answer questions
 Jo..- State Administrator Russell or Mayor Wilson who held conference yesterday 1 with Administrator H.. A. Garfield at | Washington, to whom they laid bare the actual conditions as they exist in Bridgeport and Stratford. It is expect ed the mayor will return to this city | tonight or early tomorrow morn ing.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-18
Will Deal Hard With
 Baby Doll
States Attorney Ready to Take Action to Pun ish for Outrageous AffrOnt to City,

That Baby Doll" Thomas will be dealt with promptly and will not be allowed by any technicality to escape the con- sequences of his outrageous conduct was the statement of States Attorney Homer Gum mings today.
 After a conference with Prosecutor A. l.. Delaney, the States Attorney issued the following statement:
 T have been in conference with Prosecuting Attorney Delaney and Coroner Phelan with reference to this matter, and they understand my po- sition thoroughly. I am following the affair carefully. This outrageous af- front to the dignity of this city and the laws of the state will be ade- Quately dealt with. I am prepared to use the full power of my office to that end. I am not contemplating any immediate action by way of bench warrant or otherwise that will em- barrass or supercede the work of the prosecuting attorney or the coroner; but I have taken measures to assure myself that the guilty parties will moi be able to thwart the processes of the courts by means of forfeited bonds ol any other device. They will be dealt with in due course in the Crimina Superior Court
 Prosecutor Delaney was also asked for a statement and the tone of his remarks indicated that there will be no need for a bench warrant. There will be no chance for Thomas to gel away" he said Even if he forfeits vent him from escaping justice. There will be other charges filed against hin if he is not brought into court on the present accusation. At any rate intend to see that everything is done to give this man his just deserts. Pub drastic action be taken to prevent 2 repetition of such an affair"
 The political aspect of the case ha. l caused a large amount of common
 and the big Republican leaders art I preparing to get out of the wet l Supporters of William B. Seeley de- | clare he doesn't intend to be the goa 1 even if his name was mentioned. Sc it is probable that large coat o1
 whitewash will be used by the trem
 bling politicians.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-18
FIRST VICTIM OF BABY DOLI'
 RIOT IS DEAL

Baby Doll" Thomas and Texas" of the Keystone club walters, held for der without bail by Coroner John Phelan following the death of Maurice Panne at St. Vncents hospital today.
 Firm in his assertion that he shot by policeman, Mor r Pannel of Golden Hill street died in the St. Vncens hos plta at 1O o'clock this morning. the first victim of Sundays Baby Do ot which members of the police department for reasons best known to themselves claiming ed by their associates.
 Pannelis death due to a wound inflicted by bullet entering his back and penetrating his bladder The ball which brought about his end has been recovered and held inn poran bit of evidence to establish the guilt of the charged with the murder The authorities it
 of either 32 38 caber, and not 45 which the of the carried by Baby Dol himself Medical Examiner S. M Garck will make examination of the body today and to dispose of another question of importance will determine the course taken by the bullet
 The police admit that Pannes only statements charge of their number with having fired the fatal shot, though the victim unable to describe identify particular officer They also that evidence has been introduced show that anyone inside the Keystone club evenul Sunday morning fired the shot.
 Panne it is learned stated that he had been the back while the street. although the police claimed their testimony before Coroner Phelan yesterday that three shots had been fired through the peephoe of the hadoor the clubhouse by the man known Texas and that bullets had struck Pannel and another had hit Officer Me- Namara.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-18
Governors
 Mansion Is Blown ()D
Bomb Wrecks Home of Governor Stephens at Sacramento, Cal.- l.-Ex- ecutiye and Wife, Asleep at the Time, Escape Unhurt.

Sacramento, Cal, Dec. 18- What is believed to have been an attempt to kill Gov. William D. Stephens by means of a pow erful explosive bomb at mid night last night resulted in the wrecking of the executive mansion, the entire rear of the building being blown out. The governor and Mrs. Stephens, as we'll as the household servants were asleep at the time. All escaped injury.
 Two men were seen fleeing from the house immediately after the explo- sion.
 The detonation of the explosion was heard all over the city and windows were broken by the force two or three blocks away. It was believed that from 20 to 25 sticks of dynamite were used.
 Gov. and Mrs. Stephens were asleep in the wing of the house adjoining the spot where the explosion occurred but beyond a nervous shock they were unharmed.
 The attempt occurred just as the guard was being changed. H. Calus- sen, one of the watchmen, was the first on the scene, having passed the spot but a few minutes before the ex. plosion. Claussen said he was cer- tain there was nothing unusual oc- curing on the grounds. | A hole several feet in depth and at least five feet wide was torn in the ground beneath bay window at the rear of the building and the entire wall up to the second story was blown away.
 | A clue as to the perpetrators was given to the police by the Rev. Frazer Langford, pastor of a church, who reported that four months ago a man was noticed lurking about the exec utive mansion and that he continued to haunt the locality until a week ago, when he disappeared.
 The police are of the opinion that the attempt was made by. pro-Ger- mans.
 Last week Gov. Stephens made se- ries of patriotic addresses in south ern California dealing largely with the duties of Californians in support ing the national government during the war.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-18

for Dolls release was furnished by Bernard Greenstein, father of Attor- ney Henry Greenstein, counsel for the acused. At present only technical charges of breach of the peace still rest against the two negroes, but these will probably be changed to something more serious, shortly
 ''Dolr,'' in the custody of County Sheriff Simeon Pease. and accompa-
 nied by Attorney Greenstein, went to Hartford, this morning, to stand trial in the United States district court for
 certain alleged violations of the fed
 eral laws. for which he was arrested some time ago.
 Texas" was questioned by detec- tives, yesterday, and denied that he had any part in the shooting He said that he had been on an upper floor of
 the clubhouse when the trouble start ed, and not in the hallway down stairs, as stated by the police. The negro claimed that he was being
 made the victim of ''frame-up." All of the cases against the persons taken in the raid have been con- tinued. with the exception of those
 who were found guilty in the city
 court, yesterday, of minor offences, given small fines.
 (Continued on Page A.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-18
SAW FORTUNE IN
 CHARCOAL; COULD NOT GET STARTED

Declaring that he was unable to carry out his plan for erecting a large charcoal plant on the bank of the Peuuonnock river at the foot of Stella street, Ambrose Allen of this city, ap- peared in the Civil Superior Court this morning to testify in the $5,000 damage suit he brought against w, F. D. Greninger of this city.
 Allen claimed he had purchased a large tract of land from which he in- tended to cut wood to be used in the charcoal plant and because of ina bility to secure the river property he lost money.
 The property in question is valued at $15,00O and a contract had been made by the terms of which Allen made deposit of $1,000. Later Allen asked to have the dimensions of the property put in the contract but Greninger refused on the ground that the original contract did not call for that. Then Allen wanted to get his s1,000 back but his request was refused.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-18
6 MONTHS
 IN JAIL FOR
 BABY DOLL

Hartford, Dec. 18-Wi1liam Baby DolP' Thomas. colored, who was ar- rested in Bridgeport last Sunday morning after spirited pistol fight between the police and frequenters of a resort conducted by hinn when the officers raided it. was brought to this city today for arraignment on a Fed eral indictment charging him with selling liquor without a government license.
 Thomas appeared before Judge Edwin s. Thomas in the United States district court this afternoon and changed his plea to guilty of selling liquor without a government license. He was sentenced to six months in the Bridgeport jail.
 In moving for sentence of the negro District Attorney Thomas J. Spellacy recommended that the minimum sen- tence of six months be pronounced so that the state authorities who wanted Thomas on a much more serious charge, could have him without un- due delay. MT. Spellacy said that if it should appear that the state want ed to try Thomas earlier than six months hence he would try and get President Wilson to pardon the man so he could receive the punishment merited by his fragrant offenses against the peace of the state.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-18
PIEz SUCCEEDS HARRIS AS HEAD
 OF FLEET. CORP,

washington, Dec. 1S.-Charies Pie2 of Chicago was appointed today as general manager of the emergency eet corporation, succeeding Read Ad- miral Harris, wno resigned
 A general reorganization of the fleet corporation will follow. Rear Ad- miral Bowles, aide to Admiral Harris, will have an important place in the new organization.
 James Heyworth will take full charge of wooden construction and Charles Day will become manager of the production department.
 Admiral Harris resignation was ac- cepted, Chairman Hurley announced, because of his insistence on moving the bffices of the corporation to Phil adelphia.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-18

PerOgrad Dec 18-The German and Austrian foreign min 1SerS Dr. Won Kuehlmann and Count CZernn have notified Leon TrOy the BOlshevd mister that they will arrive in Bres Lovsk today to begin negotiations for general Euro pean peace.
 The newspapers that TroZy has notified the Allied embassies that the armSce has reached definite suits and that peace negotiations will begin and asking them to participate to say whether they want peace not.
 Informal conference of the diplomats is said to have reach cd no definite decision
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-18

Why the police should be placing the blame for Sundays occurrence upon some of their own number is question that is arousing considerable interest. All appearances in this re- spect would indicate that they are trying to shield 'tBaby Doll' for some motive of their own, though it is not at all unlikely that they actually be- lieve the department was at fault.
 By one official it is declared that the police officers had no right to try to enter Baby Dolls" place without a warrant, and that when they at- tempted to get in, Doll was perfectly justified in defending what the law regards as "'his castle" 'tHe didn't start the riot,'' said this official. '"The police did, by trying to force the door and then by shooting. AS matter of fact it hasn't been proven that Baby DolP fired a single shot, for he was only seen to brandish a gun, and when he was captured at the end of the row, the automatic pistol he car ried was still fully loaded"
 "Baby iDolr' and Texas" are the two regarded as principals among aI who were arrested in the raid,, and vesterday were admitted to bail of S. 900 each. Texas failed to get bond, and is still in jail, but the cash
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-18
Miners Are Ready
 To FOregO Holiday
 To Help Coal Bins

Kansas City, Dec. 18-Miners of the southwestern coal fields through the union presidents of three districts embracing Kansas, Missouri and Ok Iahoma, have notified w. L. A. John son, general commissioner for the southwest interstate coal operators association of their willingness to foTego the usual Christmas holiday and continue work in order that the production of coal64o meet the de- fmands of the country and the gov ernmeut in war might not be stopped. They will contindS work except on Christmas day. SW
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-18
FEDERAL AGENT MURDERED.

New York, Dec 1s-Believed to have been the victim of Tong men, George D. Gee. a Chinese, employed by the federal government as an in- vestigator of violations of the opium law. was stabbed to death in his home here today. His body was found by his American wife. The slayers left no clue.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-18
ADD NEW CLERKS IN TAX BOARD OFFICE.

The rush season is underway in the tax commissioners office and Commissioner Arthur Connor has been forced to add three clerks to his staff. They are Robert Seeley, brother of William E. Seeley, treasurer of the Republican town committee; Henry Waters, formerly employed in the Public Works department, and Miss Ida Clough.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-18
HERMIT BELIEVED DROWNED

Lyme. Dec. 1S.-David Peckham, hunter and fisherman, who for the last 14 years has lived a half hermit life On Eastern point at the mouth of the Connecticut river, is believed to have been drowned on Saturday, as he has not been heard of since leaving Say brook Point at o'clock that night and his duck boat was found bottom up at New Beach yesterday.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-18
COLONEL HOUSE
 TELLS WILSON
 OF CONFERENCE

Washington, Dec. 1S--Col. B. M. House, who recently returned from Europe where he attended the in- ter-Allied war conference as head of the American mission, was at the White House today to make a per- sonal report to President Wilson.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-18
NO INSTRUCTIONS SENT FRANCIS
 REGARDING RUSS0-CERMAN FARLEY

none authorizing him to have any thing to do with peace negotiations would be sent
 The recurring suggestion in Europe for de facto recognition of the Bol- shevih has not been supported here and it is believed that Ambassador Francis will be expected to do noth- ing more in connection with the peace parleys than to observe developments and report them.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-18

Washington, Dec. 1S.-It is assumed
 at the state department that the re-
 ply of American Ambassador Francis to the invitation of Leon Trotzky, for eigr minister of the Bolshevih gov ernnent, to participate in the peace negotiations would be that he has no instructions from this government. No instructions have been sent to MT. Francis and it was indicated that
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-18
DEPUTY AUDITOR
 GOES TO HOSPITAL,

Henry J. Waters, assistant city. auditor. was removed to the Bridge port hospital today to undergo a se- r1ous operation Waters has been in ill-health for the last year or more and few months ago his friends be- ieved he was rapidly returning to normal. He suffered relapse, but eamely stuck to his desk in the City Hall until e. few days ago. when he. became almost too weak to wal
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-18
THE WEATHER.

Connecticut: Cloudy and continued cold tonight and Wednesday; noder- ate noxtheage winds.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-18
ALLIES ASKED TO /. ATTEND PEACE
 CONFERENCE

BoIsheviExi Minister Invites Envoys of Allies to
 Participate in Russo-G German Peace Farley Asked to- Attend Whether They Want Peace
 or NOC-NO INSTRUCTORS sent to U. B. Am x bassadOr.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-18

The American embassy at Tokic have made further denials of Japanese troops landing at Yladivostok
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-03-28
LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES
ARE ON THE JOB

Assemblyman Henry Grell of John
son Creek demonstrated that he is
wide awake when he this week dis
covered that because of law passed
by the special session OF the legisla-
cure in 1916 many town elections
were in danger.
That special session, which was
called to amend the law relating to the
soldier vote, changed the law relating
to the holding Of town elections Many
town clerks were not aware of this,
and all over the state elections were
liable to be held invalid Mr.. GreII
drew a bill which corrected this sit
uation, introduced it in the assembly,
secured its passage under suspension
Of'the rules, and then arranged for its
immediate message to the senate
There, with the assistance Of Senator
Mulberger, he secured its passage,
again under suspension of the rules,
and after that Mr.. Grel1 saw to it that
the bill was not delayed on it's way to
the governor. Cow Philip put the
finishing touches on the bill when he
signed it after it had been explained
by Mr. Grell
1t was a days work for which the
Jefferson county assemblyman should
be complimented
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-03-28
MUST STOP SMOKING
IF LAW IS PASSED

The Milwaukee Wisconsin says that
Kansas Prohibitionists are different
from Alexander, who, when he had
conquered the world, cried because
there were no new worlds to conquer.
The Kansas Prohibitionists now are
pushing a bill in their state Legisla-
ture to prohibit smoking in public or
in any place where children may hap
pen to be- The bachelor or the child
less husband may smoke in his own
home if he keeps himself hidden from
public view. If he happens to be a
club member he may smoke in reg
ulaf smoking room, which must carry
a sign designating its character upon
the door Otherwise no smoke, be-
cause custodians of all houses public
or private, apartments, hotels, wait
ing rooms, and SO forth, are to be held
guilty for permitting smoking upon
the premises in their care. From the
viewpoint Of smokers there is likely to
be deserted come excuse for the radi-
cal who proposes a movement to pro-
hibit the Prohibitionists from prohibi-
ting
The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-03-28
MASONIC TEMPLE PLANS
ARE NOW READY

Plans and specifications for the re-
building of the Masonic Temple have
been received here and are now in the
hands Of George A Richards, secretary
Of the board of trustees. The two other
trustees are c. A Kading and Emil
Cruez.
The plans call for the rebuilding of
the structure, basement and two floors.
The third story will be reinforced to
support the roof but nothing further
will be done with that floor at the
present time.
Bids will be asked for the recon
struction within a few days, or as soon
as the building can be cleared Of the
debris to allow bidders a better view
of what can be used of the present
structure
The main entrance to the ground
floor will be situated where the old en-
trance was but the elevator will be re-
moved. On the east side stairway
Iill lead to the lodge rooms and offices
on the second floor, while two stair
rays from the interior of the store
will lead to the basement which will
Je rearranged to suit the needs of
Charles Fisher & Son Company who
will occupy the basement and first
door Two display windows, one 14x7
'eet and one 24x7 feet will form the
'front.' of the store backed by panel
ork with top of glass to allow of
proper light. At the rear OF the store
he office will occupy a raised position
and the store proper will be modelled
after the latest designs.
The second floor will be occupied by
the Masonic lodge rooms, 32x44 with
storage room and room for the Com
mandery. The front of the second
floor will be occupied by offices Of
which there will be seven, all provided
with natural light. In fact the entire
building will be remodelled along the
most approved lines of modern con-
StTuctjOn