davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1917-12-27
SNAKES A NATIONAL kSSET
Reptiles Eat Rodents That Destroy GraIn-of the Many Species
 Few A~s Poisonous.

Snakes, says writer in tic Ameri- can Forestry Magazine, are d national asset worth many millions of dollars. Snakes eat rodents. The more snakes the fewer rodents. The fewer rodents the more grain for human cOnSump- tion. Ergo, the more snakes the more food and prosperity for humanity.
 The snake prejudice is common, al- most universal. Many humane peo- pie kill snake at sight merely be- cause it is a snake. Others, especially those who wear skirts, flee terror stricken from a snakes presence for the same arbitrary reason. To study snakes in a friendly way, to try to understand them as part of natures scheme, is a new idea.
 In the East there are several snake clubs that devote themselves to the study of snakes and to propaganda of kindliness toward serpents. The arguments are convincing; quite as unanswerable as the arguments against the wantoI killing of birds. Snakes, like birds, are friends of the farmer and, therefore, benefactors of all of us.
 There are III species of American snakes, and of these only r are ven- omous. No snake, venomous or other wise, ever wantonly attacks a human being. The pretty little garter snake and the big black snake, the common, est varieties, are wholly inoffensive.
 It will, of course, be impossible to kill the anti-snake sentiment in a day. The hostility of mau to the reptiles seems to date from prehistoric times, and Is one of the most firmly estab- lishea of human traditions. The won- der is that any snakes have survived the ruthless warfare. If 1t is now made sufficiently clear by science that the snake Is one of mans invaluable benefactors, snakedon's future may be much brighter than its past.
Connecticut western news., 1917-12-27
By WILLIAM A. RADFORD.

r Ordinarily, the square type of house
 with its plain hip roof is rather con- taonplace in its appearance, ever ehOugh it is hardly ever beaten in the
 matter of space economy and convent
 nce of room arrangement. Taken as ! whole, the square type of house is a j1ery sensible class of building for the leverage man, because it represents 9exy nearly maximum usefulness for
 nOney invested.
 The question arises Gan the square Type house be treated in such a manner
 bs to easily give 1t distinctive ap- tearance without excessive cost?" The
 Iuestion is most easily answered by Reference to the several methods which may be followed in finishing the walls If the building. This subject covers
 vide variety of effects which may be
Connecticut western news., 1917-12-27

with a stain and the trim being paint ed white. Above the second floor win- dow sills, the walls are finished with StuccO, timbered after the English style. The timbering is worked out to conform" with the outline of the win dOws. The walls of the dormer are fin- ished after the style of the second floor of the building. The foundation walls are of concrete, which is carried up to the sills of the house shown in the illustration. Some might prefer to build the basement wall above grade of brick. Usually the concrete is stopped at grade and the wall Is con- tinued to the sills with face brick on the outside and common brick for backing. A waterproofng membrane Is carefully worked into the wall to prevent the entrance of moisture at the joint between the concrete and the brick. Occasionally we see the base ment wall continued up in concrete to the sills of the building through the thickness of the wall except for about four inches at the front, which part of the wall is later built up with face brick. A third method is to follow the wall up above the concrete with face brick backed with hollow tile.
 The hip roof of this house is built with wide cornices having the ends of the rafters exposed. The slope of the roof is broken, just above the cornices, into a more gentle slope, which gives the roof an appearance of gracefulness. The dOrmer roof is treated in the same way as the main roof. All of the dou- ble hung windows have a plain lower sash and the upper sash is broken up into a large number of small square lights. The effect is artistic and thor oughly in keeping with other details of exterior design. The front entrance consists of a simple but solidly built door stained in conformity with the rough siding, having narrow window on each side. This entrance with the porch-terrace are very effective in em- phasizing the rustic aspect of the house.
 The house has a basement under all parts except the porch. Grade windows are of sufficient size and in sufficient number to make this a useful part of the house. Separate rooms are pro- vided for the heating plant, the laun. dry, the vegetable cellar and bins are built for the fuel.
Connecticut western news., 1917-12-27

what has been accomplished by build Ing the corners in this way. On the first floor one of the rear corners is utilized as an entrance into the kitchen. s&n outside icing refrigerator is to be ffaced on one side of the passageway, ,en the other side of which there is a Ruilt-in case. The kitchen is made very handy, indeed, by the addition of hbis entrance feature. In the other pear corner, there is the most cozy lit Hle den imaginable. A seat is built into .the corner, which is lighted on three astfes. The fireplace is directly before i&he seat. On the second floor the cor her bedrooms are made very pleasant ky the bay windows. -...--..
 In addition to this speci T cOnstruc- Eeaon, there are several OtEer features (which are interesting. The double fire place is one of these. Its use calls for 8he utilization of one chimney having swo fues to serve two tireplaces and khe basement heater. The fireplace 1n .hhe den is built into the corner of the ssoom while the one in the living room 4s centered in the rear wal. French
Connecticut western news., 1917-12-27
Scheme to Capture German

And this was received by the com mander of the Department of the East, a New York correspondent of the Pittsburgh Dispatch writes: "I nm enthusiastic ove: scheme that has entered my fertile brain to easily cap- ture thousands or German soldiers without firing a round of ammuni- tion. If the war department does not see fit to use this wonderful sugges- tion, then the responsibility for the continuance of the war must rest on the shoulders of those who have re- jected it. The scheme is a simple one and is easily put into execution. Un- der cover of darkness have the sol diers strew the ground between op- posing trenches with fly paper. When the Germans come over the top to at- tack they will, of course, get stuck and will be easily captured. Can any thing more practical or simple be imagined"
Connecticut western news., 1917-12-27
LEGAL NOTICES.

At Court of Probate holden at Cornwall Conn. within and for the Disuri tt of Cornwall. Conn. on the 21st day of December A D. 1917.
 Present Geo. R. smith Esq Judge. On motion of Charlotte R Beckley, Canaan, Conn "Administratrix" on the intestate estate of John B. Brad ford late of Cornwall, Conn. within said district, deceased.
 This Court doth decree that six months be allowed and limited for the creditor of said estate to exhibit their claims against the same to the Char. lotte R. Beokley, Canaan, Conn and directs that public notice be given of this order by advertising in news. paper having a circulation in said dis trict and By posting copy thereof on the public sign post in said town of Cornwall, Conn nearest the place where tle deceased last dwelt
 Certified from Record,
 Geo k Smith, Judge.
Connecticut western news., 1917-12-27
EnoIand,s "peath Clock" Stops.

The famous astronomical clock at Hampton Court palace, which was made by German in 1540, for Henry VIII, has stopped, and is in the work mems hands, writes d correspondent.
 It is many years since last the clock stopped. It tells the time, the month, the day of the month, the position of the sun, the number of days since the beginning of the year, the phases and age of the moon, the hour it crosses the meridian, and the time of high wa ter at London bridge. A curious le- gend connected with it has given it the name of "the clock of death"
 It Is stated that when Anne of Den- mark, the queen of James l, died at Hampton Court, the clock, which was striking the hour at the moment, i'm mediately stopped, and it is alleged to have done so for many years whenever anyone long resident in the palace died within it's precincts. There are many people who will quote examples of the fulfillment of the superstition in re- cent times.
Connecticut western news., 1917-12-27


 lbtainedsina ad iusting the color, texture
 fd pattern of the wall surface to ring out just the character desired. X There Is still the possibility of vary Skg slightly from the plain rectangular nsttline of plan, such that the room ar S2ngement Is not disturbed, yet the ap- Dearance is altered to conform with Mhe owners ideas. This method is A1sually more costly than the average Anan is desirous of using simply as a neans of improving the appearance. However, few simple changes in the plan outline may often result in the Drodnction of greatly increased com Hort in certain of the rooms and the knst is then justified.
 - As an example, the perspective view Accompanying shows a house of the .kquare type which has been treated In - novel way, both as regards wall fin tshIng materials and also as regards nfan outline. The plan shows that the kear corners of the building have been huilt, from foundation to roof, as N4uare projections. The plan indicates
Connecticut western news., 1917-12-27
WAR BUREAU PLAN
Connecticut State Council of Defense Moves to Increase
 Its Efficiency.
All War Activities to Be Centralized in Towns Having a Population
 of 5000 or Over.

An important step in the direction of war work efficiency in Connecticut was taken recently at a meeting in the State Capitol at Hartford, when nearly a hundred of the most active war workers and city and town ofn- cials of Connecticut endorsed a rec ommenGation of the Connecticut State Council of Defense that war bureaus to have centralized control of nearly all local war activities be established in every town and city of the state having a population of 5000 or over. The proposed war bu- reaus, when established, will amplify the present town committees of the council and it is expected that they will bring together in one bureau the work of practically all the civilian war organizations except a few of na- tional scope, such as the American Red Cross and the Young Mems Christian Association.
 The war bureaus will act as local representatives of the Defense Coun- ell, will have carefully selected off, cers, one of whom will give all his time to the work of each bureau, and executive committees which will in- clude in their membership represer- tatives of all the more important local war relief societies
Connecticut western news., 1917-12-27

doors flank this fireplace fin the living

doors flank this fireplace fin the living room, one set leading into the den and the other giving entrance to the Ching room.
 The front door is located at one end of the porch, this part of the porch be- ing built with a roof above, while the remainder is in the nature of terrace. Entrance is into large reception hall. The open stairway to the second floor terminates in this hall and an orna- mental colonnade is bui!t between the hall and the living room. DirecDy op- pOsite this colOnnade is a l'casaGt win dow seat. The reception hall also com municates with the kitchen by way Of a small hall in which a door is placed leading to the grade entry. Tie base
Connecticut western news., 1917-12-27
Zoo Monkeys Diet.

The. monkeys in American zoologi- cal parks are still having bananas for breakfast, in spite of the war and the high cost of living, but the animals of the London zoo are not so fortunate. The shortage of food in Britain has resulted in many of the less rare anil malls being killed off or not replaced in case of death. The aforementioned bananas have long been dropped from tho zoo menu, and potatoes can be re- membered only by the older inhabit- ants of before the war days. Horse flesh is the only form of meat not too high nor scarce for the animals. Hay, wheat and oats are needed urg- ently for other purposes; so that grass from the parks, corn, rice and other less valuable grains are substituted.
Connecticut western news., 1917-12-27
Meteors From the Moon.

Taking up an old theory of meteors, Emile Belot, French astronomer, has attempted to demonstrate that these bodies may have resulted from vol canic eruptIons on the moon and other satellites of the solar systems planets. He finds that an initial velocity of projection comparable to that which has been observed in the eruption of Cotopaxi and only twice as great as that developed in artillery of the pres ent war would be sufficient to carry q body free from the moon and he has made calculations of the speed of pro jection and other conditions that would cause such body to become a satellite Of the moon, of the earth, cE of the
Connecticut western news., 1917-12-27
Died on "FieId of Honor"

Alexander Hamilton, statesman Of the Revolutionary period, and his son Philip were both killed In duels, the former by Aaron Burr and the latter by one George l.. Eacker. The son was killed first. He and Eacker were both young lawyers of New York city. They got into a quarrel at a theater one night and Hamilton challenged Eacker on the spot. In the duel which followed. November g, 1901, Hamilton was mortally wounded md died the next day. July II, 1904, the father and Aaron Burr fought on the same spot. at Weehawken, N. J.. and Hamil- ton was killed at the first fire.
Connecticut western news., 1917-12-27
Tobacco Crop Will Be Smaller.

Connecticut's great tobacco area may be greatly cut down this coming season, owing to increasing cost al- scarcity of labor and the amazing in, crease in the cost of fertilizer. It was said by experts that the help problem will present the most formidable diff ficulty.
 Frank H. Wnipple of the firm O. Olds & Whipple declares that a ;otal of about 22.O00 acres of tobacco L' raised in this state. MT. Whi pie es- inmates that the fertilizer ard he D problem vii combine to cut down tGe size of next seasons tnEa"co Cfop. He says that besides this to. a.."o im- plements in whici: hi5 film j. "' e&, tcnsi do~'ar. will al he !'i' h"", %e thi, ks, this ""71:rg season. z" ' to tlo lncrea~ in rria, "j cost . Ma,e- t.. : ..U-l -.,,.- -.
Connecticut western news., 1917-12-27
Suggests q Hilarious Finish.

Most hilarious and mirthful would be the ending of the war under the scheme of Henniker (N. H.) humani- tarian. He would have all the Ger mans, the kaiser included, laugh them selves to death, says the Boston Jour nal.
 Briefly, the scheme is to spill new kind of laughing gas, which the writer soys he has invented, all over the Ger man forces. The gas, according to the plan. can be carried over the German trenches in airplanes and dropped.
Connecticut western news., 1917-12-27
ONE WEAK SPOT
Many Cauaan People Have Weak Part and Too Often It's The Back.

Many people have a weak spot.
 Too often it's a bad back.
 Twinges follow every sudden twist.
 Dull aching keeps up, day and night
 Packache is often from weak kidneys.
 In such a case kidney medicine is needed
 Dosn's Kidney Pills are for weak kidneys,
 For hackache and urinary ills
 Cansan people recommend the rem edy.
 E Curtis, carpenter, R. F. D., Canaan says: "About year ago, I suffered quite bit from backache. I had dull pains in the small of my back and felt all tired out heard of Doan's Kidney Pillssnd got some from R. T. Farnum & Co.'S Drug Store. Two boxes cured me of the attack"
 Price 60c at all dealers. Don't sim- ply ssk for a kidney remedy-get Doan's Kidney Pills-the same that Mir. Curtis had. Foster M;lburn O.. |, Mfgrs., Buffalo,..S. Y.-adv.a7
Connecticut western news., 1917-12-27

nent Is handy to the kitchen through this small hall. The dining room is 8 pleasant room in which a harmOni2ing buffet has been built beneath the cen ter window in the rear wall. The four bedrooms on the second floor are gen erous in size and are arranged so that the bedroom furniture will fit in to the best advantage. Each bedroom has a closet and there are two small closets on the hall, which extends from the stairs across the house and back to the bathroom.
 The exterior of the house is finished in a very novel style. The first floor IS finished with rough boards and bat tens, the main surface being finished
Connecticut western news., 1917-12-27
NOTICE.

The annual meeting of the stocthol- ders of the National Iron Bank of Falls Village, Conn.,, will be held in their banking rooms at Falls Village, Conn on Tuesday, January 8. 1918, from 10 o'clock a. m., for the election of directors for the coming year and for the transaction of any other busi- ness proper to come before said meet. ing.
 Dwight E. Dean, Cashier. Falls Village, Conn, Dec. 1, 1917.
Connecticut western news., 1917-12-27
NOTICE.

The annual meeting of the stock holders ot The Canaan National Bank will be held at its banking rooms in Canaan. Conn on Tuesday. Jan 8, 1917. from 10 to II o'clock a. m., for the election of Directors for the ensu- ing year, and for the transaction of any other business as may properly come before said met ting.
 J. H. Lansing, Cashier. Canaan, Conn.,, Dec. 4, 1917.
Connecticut western news., 1917-12-27
HOW ID DECORATE ! THE SQUARE HOUSE Ihis Type of Dwelling Can Be 1 Made Distinctive at Reason ! able Cost.
SEVERAL METHODS ARE USED
Structure Described Here Possesses
 | Many Features Attractive to Those Who Have Eye for Good Planning.

Mir William A Radford will answer auestions and give ad ice FREE OF COST on all subjects pertaining to the gubject of building, for the readers of this paper. Or account of his wide experience as Editor. Author and Manufacturer. he M, without doubt, the highest authority an all these subjects. Address all inquiries Co William A Radford, No. 1927 Prairie avenue Chicago, H.. and only enclose
 wo-cent stamp for reply.
Connecticut western news., 1917-12-27
]. $. RAILROADS
 HELPING ALLIES
 ID WIN THE WAR
Victories Won at Home by an Army Of Nearly 2,000,-
 GOO Employees.
EXTRA EFFORTS CAUSED
 BY ARMY PREPARATIONS

Supplies Carried to the Various MiIi- tary Camps Since Lc0t April Would Fill Freight Train Stretching From Hartford to Within a Few Miles of chicaeo-Other Important Accomplishments.
Connecticut western news., 1917-12-27

This is the fourth article of a } series on America's war prepa- , rations, secured from federal of- } ficials by the Publicity Commit , t tee of the Connecticut State }
 Council of Defense for pubIica- }
 tion in Connecticut newspapers. , z They will deal with all phases of , | the Nations organization for } [ war, and will be as complete and } ' informative as the exigencies of , r military strategy will permit. ,
Connecticut western news., 1917-12-27
A Rauular Bird.

Ma-Even if they continue to teach m;l.ary :actics for the next two years d,u'l ho'!cvc our Willie will be any Eru. Hj it.
 Ta--po you mean he's too chicken la" 'r'lY
 .aa--No; he's too pigeon,toed.
Connecticut western news., 1917-12-27
Dis1raced.
"I haven't seen aemmandshaw f,

"I haven't seen Hemmandshaw for a week."
 ''No; he hasn't been out of the house since his accident"
 ''Was he seriously tnjured?"
 ''No; but he feels the disgrace deep ". After living m the heart of the city all his life he went to the country fer the summer end and was run over by a milk cart"
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-21
POLICE RECEIVE NAMES
 OF MEN WHO FAILED TO
 RETURN QuESTIONNAIRES

The first division board has filed with the police department it's first list of men who have failed to file their questionaire in accordance with the selective draft law. According to the law the police are required to as- certain the whereabouts of these men who have failed to file their question
 naire and bring them before the local board.
 The law allows the local police five days Tn which to look up all delin- quents. After that period has elapsed the men will be considered deserters and will be treated as such in the carrying out of the law.
 In many cases where men have al. ready enlisted, the questionnaire has been returned to the draft board and
 in these cases of course the law takes
 official notice in regard to section 13O of the law regarding assertions. The list of names as handed to the police follows:
 Frederick Bayne. 839 Broad street;
 Jacob Feipberg. 1257 Fairfield avenue
 Kostanty Bielawiec. 259 Gregory street: Frank Urbfn. 76 Gisbia street;
 Stefan Osinoki. 1S9 Courtland street;
 Simeon GDobosky. 71S Lafayette street: John Kerezsi, All Bostwick avenue; Charles Zaisow. 2s Ridge avenue; Lung Hong Payn, Ss5 Fair
 field avenue: Sherry Sinan. 25S Cherry
 street: James M. Arvanitfdes, 2S4
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-21
City Wi|| States All Use Jail Will Have
 LabOrers| Xmas Fuel
Prisoners at County In- stitutiOn May be Avail able for Work on Streets After July l, If Present Plans Are Adopted.

Steps which will make male prisoners in the county jail available for work on the city streets. are expected to be taken by the county commissioners and the members of a special committee appointed by the last legislature at 8 joint. meeting held on Dec. 26.
 The county commissioners and the members of the committee held a meeting yesterday afternoon and in the opinion of those present the most feasible plan under present circum- stances is to permit the city of Bridge Of these prisoners.
 The average number of prisoners in the county jail is 150 and it is the opinfen of the legislative committee that this number would help greatly. It is also much deplored that the committee cannot make the help available at present to clear the city streets of the snow and thus permit deliveries of coal to many families badly in need.
 The county labor is at present un- Ger contract and it is understood that the greater part of it is used in mak- ing shoes while the balance is ern- ployed in the manufacture of cement blocks.
 The present contract for the labor expires on July 1, and it is for this reason that the committee is consid. ering a means of disposing of it to ad. vantage for the following year.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-21
HEAVEN TO CARE
 FOR HIS FAMILY
 WHILE HE FIGHTS

A demonstration of patriotism warranting the attention of all slack CTS, occurred in the office of the legal advisory board of the Third Division local board, yesterday, when giant Russian, being an alien, employed in the Remington Arms plant and hav- ing a wife and two children to sup port, refused to sign waiver for ex- emption on any one of the three pos sible claims.
 When asked if he thought he should be exempted because he was an alien, the Russian smiled and said, "I want to fight" The lawyer asked What will happen to your family ?" The registrant made no reply, but pointed his finger heavenward:
 Being pressed, the man steadfastly refused to sign waiver on his ques- tionnaire, which would result in his absolute discharge on two and pos- sibly three grounds.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-21
CONGRESS PUSHES PROBE OF SHIPPING, ARMY WORK
 AND SHORTAGE OF SUGAR

George M. Rolph. director of the food administration sugar bureau, on the witness stand. The committee was prepared to have MT. -Rolph explain in detail the effect the food adminis- tration's price fixing activities had on the situation.
 Members of the senate military committee investigating the army war preparations, opened a new phase of the inquiry by questioning Quartermaster- General Sharpe on the relation of the clothing shortge to dis ease epidemics in training camps
 Without waiting for congressional ap- propriations the war department au- thorized orders for clothing equip ment for 1,OO0,0O0 troops before the United States went to war, 1t was brought out in the testimony of Gen. eral Sharpe. Secretary Baker, Gem eral Sharpe said, authorized orders for clothing and other supplies for the million men just before the war declaration and in June approved or- ders to equip another half million men.