The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-10-26
REDDINC
Especial to The Far1ner.l

Redding, Oct. 25-Pretty we'll tagged
out from their exertions in the sham
battle at Westport the local Home
Guard returned Sunday afternoon not
at all in love with that style of war
fare. Several Of them expressed a
preference for the real article with
all its horrors. The din and panoply
OF armed conflict were mostly nom
existent as no ammunition had been
Issued and the glitter and display of
oidtime warfare was a matter of the
imagination. The entire Sanford
school and many others from Red
ding halted their autos near the Saug-
Rtuck bridge which was supposed to
be the objective Of the attack and
waited through the weary hours with
out receiving any thrills as the hos
1ltttes were waged about four miles
TO the northwest. EARLY in the en-
gagement the Redding company made
brilliantly successful charge by
which they captured about twenty
prisoners. Captain Barnes then with
drew his command to a slightly knoll
and awaited further orders, his men
being in d state OF high elation over
their victory. Presently up dashed or
sauntered an umpire or orderly and
reprovingly informed the Guardsmen
that they were theoretically all dead.
1t seems that they had committed a
serious error in lingering in such an
exposed position and two shells had
exploded among them with annihilat-
ing results. They were to go a GER
tain distance to the rear and there re-
main for; half an hour in a state of
suspended animation when, being the
oretically restored to life, they would
essay more valorous deeds.
The half hour having elapsed anoth-
l forward rn0vernant was ardarod To
led through a swamp which was most
| ly free of water, abounded in rocks
| bushes and other distractions. AZ
the movement was made at the double
| quick tumbles were numerous. Ser
/ geant William Gill suffered a sprained
| ankle and Sergeant II. Sanford Os-
born, handicapped by the loss Of his
| glasses, ran against q tree and pain
| fully bruised his nose. Town Clerk
Sanford was badly shaken up by two
or three falls. Finally the company
reached stone wall which Captain
Barnes decided to utilize as a defens.
i've position and behind which his me1
were ordered to lie down. A sus
4 picious noise was interpreted to NEAR
the proximity of an enemy scout ant
hence strict silence was enjoined. The
supposed scout proved to be an erran
calf. After q considerable waitinI
in silence and tension another orderl,
appeared and told the men to ru1
along home or words to that effect, a.
the battle was over. The two incident
narrated describe only q small part O
the company's labors. an estimate be
ing that they had marched ten mile
and ran five.
AS they were starting homeward re
| ports reached them of an aside-from
| the-program affair which had occur
red in another part of the field. Tn
story related to a real clash between
the Bethel and Newtown 0uardsmel
Of the Blue Army on one side and
Red Army detachment on the 9th
er. There had been a theoretica
brush between the two bodies and dis
satisfaction with the umpire's findin
as to the issue started an exchang
of heated language which brough
about a general fistic combat, the me
dropping their guns that they Nigh
more freely use natures weapons. TIL
officers interviewed and with consid
. cradle difficulty separated the cor
tending factions. TsF Some of the Red
ding men expressed envy of the com
batants, declaring that so much in
decisive theoretical fighting had mad
them hungry for real scrap.
The finance committee will repol
to the adjourned town meeting o
Saturday afternoon a budget of abol
$25, 900, calling for tax of abol
fifteen mills. Their estimates includ
$1,000 for the purchasing of the Day
ton lot, $1,250 of the $4,000 due O
the general wood expense of the pa
year, $4,000 for permanent road in
provements and $1,000 for the sfnkin
fund account of the present year. Tt
$1,000 due on last years account wa
passed over. The $4,000. proposed #
new state road will be the subject
separate resolution having the con
nnittee's approval. Whether to app
this appropriation of $4,000 to stat
aid highway or use it in construc
ing the trunk line in the Putnam Par
section will be for the meeting
decide, the question being one whic
promises a serious discussion. Chat
man Barnes Of the committee has n
ceived assurances from Highway Cor
Bennett that IL the town applies 1
$4,000 to trunk line construction tt
state will put in $4,000. The con
missioner says that otherwise the in
; provement may be delayed for sever
years, a fact which may infuen'
many to favor the proposed diversie
of the towns money. 1t is expecte
however, that the plan will be o.
posed by west side residents.
Chairman Barnes intends to offer
the meeting a resolution providir
the fixing Of the tax rate be deferre
until the annual town meeting ntE
October, the object being to PROVE
revenue meeting the expend
lures occurring during the il
terval which at present are matt
of estimate. Many do not reali
that the town is year behind as r
CARDS the relation between the tt
rate and expenditures, the collection
from this years rate not beginniI
until October Of next year.
First Selectman Sanford and Re
Mr.. Cunningham called last Thursd;
on Liberty loan subscribers and a
tended to the business of having a
plication blanks filled out and to Il
other required formalities. Some
the subscribers insisted on makil
payment in full instead Of merely t.