davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1917-02-08
GASOLINE CONSUMPTION.

We will consume ill this country this year almost 2,000. 000 900 gallons of gasolene; which is the equivalent of a stream six feet wide and one foot deep, flowing at the rate of one mile an hour
 Five years ago gasolene retailed at thirty five cents in England, from forty to seventy-fv cents on the continent, and there are those who even predict forty cent gasolene here some day. Recent Improvements in refining have considerably increased the percentage of gasolene extracted, and inventors are confident of perfectIng carburetors which will use kerosene, says Popular Mechanics Magazine, but for the pres. ent we are confronted with decrease in the gasolene content of the older oil wells and an insufficient capacity in the refining plants. Our exports, how. ever, of gasolene in 1915 were consid. erably less than in 1914, although more crude oil was sent abroad. There is also a strong probability that. with the reconstruction and resumption of business abroad at the close of the war, consumption there will be much greater than now. Horses will be scarce and time will be everything, and the motor car and truck will receive a great impetus. Just how long the present oil wells will continue to produce, or when and where new oil wells will be discovered, no one can say with cer- talnty. Before that day arrives. how ever, it is fair to expect that chemists will have found some substitute or in- ventors method of making one gallon do the work of more.
Connecticut western news., 1917-02-08
BIG COMET COMING.

The many things that have been said in the papers about the eclipses of the, moon and sun the present year are not. a circumstance to the display which the new comet is expected to make This new visitor is "Comet B, 19l6.- because it was the second com ct discovered during the past year. On January 1, 1917, it was 300, ,000, ooO miles from the earth and is apparently coming directly at us at the rate of over n million miles day. Scientific men say that they have not deter- mined the absolute path of the comet but that on May 1, the earth will oc- cupy nearly the exact spot that the comet will occupy some days later The best view of the comet will be oss May IS, or thereabouts. when it wilR be directly between the earth and sun and may give some strange phenomena for then the earth will be in the end of the tail of the comet. This comet is monster, was first seen last April when it was 400, ,000, 900 miles away, and as comets increase in brilliancy As they approach the sun one that can hei seen at a distance of four hundred mil lions of miles ought to be a good show when 1t gets nearer. At the present. time the comet is the other side of the sun, that is the earth, sun and comet are in conjunction, or in straiVht line. Early in May the comet should be visible to the naked eye in the early morning just before the sun is' up. The head of the comet of 1s1J was more than million miles in diameter and the comet of lS43 had tail oyer two hundred million miles long. Tue coming visitor is supposed to be an entirely new one and his freaks at present unknown. In ancient times the comet was feared universally, buE at the present time the scientific men do not expect that the new conner would be a danger even though the earth should give it a close rub.
Connecticut western news., 1917-02-08
EVENING GROsBEAKs HERE.

These rare visitors from the far north have been seen in Canaan but once within the recollection of almost "the oldest inhabitant," and that was, we believe, six years ago, when a few specimens made frequent calls at Miss S. W. Adam s place on Elm street.
 They are never seen here except in winter, and the beautiful coloring of the males always attracts attention. This bird, slightly smaller than robin, may be described as having a general body color of yellow and olive, black tail. striking back and white wing markings and black and yellow head with light-colored bill. The female is similar but dull with no bright mark ings.
 If these birds come your way take a good look at them, as it may be many years before you have another oppor- tunity. They have also been reported in other parts of the state this winter.
Connecticut western news., 1917-02-08
CHANGE AT HARRINGTON MILLS.

As a result of negotiations which have been pending for some time, a corporation to be known as the Great Harrington Manufacturing Co.,, has purchased and will take over the real estate and mill property of the Bar. rington mills on Bridge street. The new company has a capitol of $75, ,000 and it is understood that it will devote it's attention entirely to finishing work for other mills, and will not, for the present at least, do any more weaving The officers of the new corporation are President, A. s. Pratt of Great Bar rington; vice-president, F. W. Jeffer son of New York; treasurer, Fred l. Bottum of Bennington, Vt.; assistant treasurer, clerk and secretary, c. O. Mason of Great Harrington.
 The new company is a Massachusetts, corporation taking over the interest of the Harrington Mfg, New York cor poration organized to conduct the busi ness after recent legal adjustments. It is understood that the interests ofWest, Baker 6 Co.,, of New York, for some time identified with the business, have been purchased and the firm is no longer connected with the mill New machinery has been ordered, and the working force which at present mum bers about 40 hands, will eventually be somewhat increased.
Connecticut western news., 1917-02-08
STATE OYSTER CROP SHORT.

Reports from oyster growers of the state indicate that there will be seri ous shortage of marketable oysters dur ing the rest of the season. Already some of the opening houses have closed for the season owing to che shortage. According to oyster farmers, the lack of oysters is, largely due to the poor sets experienced during the past few weeks. Oyster shippers say that they are hard hit, as they needed to run their plants through the season to recover for losses sustained by what they say was un. profitable business during the last three years.
 The quality of oysters is said to be good at the present time, but oyster growers say that the prospect for quan. tity in Connecticut is poor for the flu u. ture. The set in Connecticut has been small for the past two years. Oyster formers insist that the oyster industry is rapidly declining in Rhode Island and Connecticut.
Connecticut western news., 1917-02-08
SMALLPOX SPREAD BY NEGROES?

It ought to be drawn to the attention of the federal government that, coin cident with a marked migration of negroes from the southern states, local epidemics of smallpox have broken out in 19 states in the union and that it is time to call the attention of the dis. tinguished gentlemen below the Mason and Dixon line to the fact that their neglect to look after the safety of their health is putting the health of many other states in jeopardy.
 It has been the belief of the state health authorities in Connecticut that the first case of the scores that have been recorded here within the history of the present smallpox outbreak was that of colored girl who came here from North Carolina and the record shows that it was from tue locality Tn which she lived while here that the disease spread throughout Waterbury.
 Southern health laws are very lax an very little enforced among the negroes. The whites seem to be in different to thelr own safety and to their duty to do their share of proven. tive work for the safety of other states The present administration is strong with the South. The public health service ought to be able to convince the southern senators and representatives of the duty of their states in this mat ter and start general campaign for the control of these communicable dis eases. If they do not, the northern states should take the initiative and fight for direct federal legislation that would cover the matter.
 It is time for the state and national bodies devoted to spreading propaganda in favor of the prevention of disease of all kinds to tackle this matter and bring about this very desirable reform as quickly as possible. Re- publican.
Connecticut western news., 1917-02-08
THE SUNNY SOUTH
Florida Papers Tell ot Different Kind
 of Weather.

Ovid P. Gillette, who is spending the winter in Florida. has favored The News with copies of the St. Petersburg Independent, an evening daily of the favorite winter resort It carries as a heading this statement: 'The Sun shine Paper, gives away it's entire cir culation, absolutely free to everybody, every day the sun does not shine on St. Petersburg. The record is 37 free issues in six years. Certainly dry city with record like that.
 The copy before us contains 16 pages, filled not with only the news of the section but telegraphic accounts of do- ings of the world in general.
 An editorial on "Cold Winter Resort," has this to say regarding California weather:
 California once rubbed it in on" Flordia when the weather in this state happened to be bad and it is hard to resist the temptation to return the favor now that California is having it's share of bad weather.
 While California was enjoying CD this kind of weather St. Petersburg was having regular summer weather. Contrast the cold of California with the ideal weather that has prevailed in St. Petersburg during the last month The weather here has been SO warm that the wood dealers have almost stop- ped selling wood except for cooking There are many homes in St. Peters. burg where only one load of wood has been purchased this winter'
 The official weather report shows that the maximum temperature for the day was 75 and the minimum 63; while Boston had 28 and New York A for their highest records, Chicago was 46 and Denver 56 with San Franciso the same, New Orleans had 78, Minneapolis 22 and Atlanta 6S for their highest.
 Mr. Gillette writes us i've have been here most seven weeks, have had only two or three cold nights and chilly days, the rest have all been like ideal June days ill Connecticut.
Connecticut western news., 1917-02-08
SCHOOL BILLS IN ASSEMBLY.

The following bills, relating to the schools and of interest especially to taxpayers and parents in the towns have been introduced in the state senate:
 Requiring that physical training be a part of the regular branch of study for children over years old ill the public schools.
 Authorizing towns Or districts to erect, hire and maintain houses in which the teachers of the town can live.
 Requiring physical training in schools, including military training, and instructing, governor to request secretary of war to assign officer of regular army to act as director of physi- cal training.
 <: Requiring board of education to pro vide plans to towns, when requested, for $2, 300 school buildings for twenty pupils; or S3, 800 buildings for forty pupils; for $4, Quo buildings for sixty pupils; and for $5,000 buildings for seventy.five pupils.
 Providing that, after September 1, 1916, no town shall receive any grant from the state treasury for school pur- poses unless each school below the hign school enrolls not more than forty children.
 Providing that after September l, 1918, town school committees, boards of education, high school and district school committees shall employ only teachers who have obtained state cer tificate of qualification prior to the con. tract of hiring.
 Requiring every town, on petition of the parents of twenty children, to maintain summer session of the ele- mentary or high school continuing not less than six weeks.
Connecticut western news., 1917-02-08
THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

The present general assembly will have a chance to show their regard or lack of regard for the county form of government in the state of Connecti. cut. A bill was introduced in the senate abolishing it and providing for the transfer of its duties to state of. ficials. We have very little faith in this legislature passing such progres sive legislation as this but we have no doubt of the wisdom of it. Not only is the Connecticut county form of government archaic but it is undemo. cratic. It is nothing more or less than partisan machine for the advance. responsibilities incidental. An incal. culable benefit would descend upon the state of Connecticut by its abolishment. The bill which seeks the desired end is we'll drawn and worthy of the support of the general assembly. We fear, however, that its introduction will iu- terfere with the constant devotion to duty on the part of the twenty. four county commissioners. When the con- stitutional convention suggested pro- viding for the election of the commits sioners by vote of the people, the dele gates to the convention were afforded the opportunity at once of meeting all of the commissioners in office, not oIlce but frequently and until the proposed measure of reform had met its death. - Journal Courier.
Connecticut western news., 1917-02-08
I, ,96o DEER KILLED IN STATE.

According to superintendent John NJ. Champion of the fish and game, commission, 1860 deer have been re- ported killed in this state since the law permitting the killing of deer by property owners who find the anima ltn destroying their property became effee- tive August 1915. This number, ao- cording to the superintendent, repre-. seDts only about one. third of the totHf number of deer killed. The grestes l. number were killed in Litchfield county, 42l having been shot in thst section. Hartford county hanks second with $40 and the number killed i'm other counties follows: New London, 2S5; Windham, 233; New Haven. .20sT Middlesex, ISl; Holland, l64; Fair field. l40,
Connecticut western news., 1917-02-08
VITAL STATISTICS
Figures for 1916 for Town of North
 Canaan.

The following data regarding the births, marriages and deaths in the town of North Canaan have been pre- pared by the Town Clerk.
 The total number of births during the year was 5l, of this number 27 were males and 24 were female. Both parents of 20 of these were Americana. 2S had parents who were both foreign CTS, three had one American and oues foreign parent.
 There were 27 marriages in the towr during the year; of these, coupler were resident parties, II were both non-residents and 9 were one residen t and one non resident.
 The total number of deaths was 32-. the males numbering IT, females l6. Death of those under one year of age numbered 4; of those Go years of age or over there were IS; the oldest being Mrs. Ann Ives, who was s5 years, 4 months, 20 days old.
Connecticut western news., 1917-02-08
THE CrHER MANS WIFE.

The eternal triangle, the man, the wife and the other man. or the wife, the husband and the other woman this is thes basic for all stories and naturally is as old as time. To treat this age old basis principle in a new or clever manneI "is consummation devoutly to be wished' and in "The Other Mans Wife," The Lambert Pro. ducing Company's (Not Incl play a new treatment of thls old theme is to be found.
 The play is from the pen of Victor E.. Lambert, and abounds in a success sion of clever situations. The comedy scenes are numerous, and the press has been most fiattering in what they have had to say about the play.
 'The Other Mans Wife" will be seen at the Mahaiwe Theatre in Great Bar. rington this evening"
Connecticut western news., 1917-02-08
A NEAR BLIZZARD
Heavy Snow Fall With High Winds All
 Day Monday.

Starting with a light fall of snow that began about 8 o'clock Sunday night theIcitizens found six inches of the beautiful on their walks Monday morning.
 At 6 O clock it was not showing, but soon after [ it began to arrive, gently at first, but in two hours the real furry of gale was evident to all who ven tured out into the wintry blasts.
 Up to noon the trains and trolley cars were about on time but after that hour delays were more in evidence so that mails were very uncertain, the 2:55 from the north arrived after 6 o'clock, the 7:04 from the east and the 7:38 from the south did not arrive until about 10 o clock.
 Principal Strayer closed the schools at II o'clock in order that the pupils might reach home before the storm was any worse The regular monthly teachers meeting held in the afternoon had only about half the teachers in attendance.
 Traffic about the village practically ceased in the middle of the afternoon, the stores closed early in the evening
 The storm was general throughout the northern part of the state, tying up the trolley service in the cities.
 The Berksshire trolley service was kept up with regularity, the company keeping their snow blow busy during the afternoon and evening.
Connecticut western news., 1917-02-08
GOVERNOR SIGNS FIRST ACT.

Governor Marcus H. Holcomb, Wednesday placed has signature on an act for the first time since he started his second administration as the execu. tive of the state. The act was in re. gard to the amendment to the charter of the city of New Haven, giving to the acting mayor, in the absence of the mayor, full power of mayor. It was approved by the committee on cities and boroughs at a recent meeting and became a law when Governor Holcomb signed the paper. The act was the re. suit of the recent situation in New Haven caused by the illness of former Mayor Frank T. Rice that ended in his death.
Connecticut western news., 1917-02-08
UNIQUE ENTERTAINMENT
Third of the Mission Circle Series
 Delights Audience.

The entertainment given by MT. and Mrs. Michitaro Ongawa, at the town hail last Wednesday night was greatly enjoyed by those present
 The Ongawas are native Japanese, who have spent several years in this country. Attired in truly native cos tumes of rich and varied coloring, they made pretty picture on the stage set with appropriate scenery, depicting conditions in the land of cherry bios. soms and the iris.
 In choice language MT. Ongawa ex- plained the manner, dress and customs of that interesting people, creating much amusement by his description of the way they regard what to them, is our back handed method of doing things. And when it comes to learn ing the alphabet the little Japs have to learn over 50, 900 characters instead of but 26 letters.
 Mrs. Ongawa appeared in variety of costumes that were the envy ot all the ladies in the audience, not one of which but wished for as beautiful kimonas as her "Ta ri" brought her. OI6 WOu bll0 Ol d11 Oy HUI 0AdAAO speech and graceful pantomime; es- pecially pleasing were the folk dances of the butterflies and cherry blossoms. as we'll as the folk songs rendered in a sweet mezzo soprano voice.
 Her description of the duties of the Japanese woman and her home life, as we'll as the glimpse into the furnish ings of home gave her hearers new views of life in Nippon land.
 The evenings program closed with playlet, "The Mirror," depicting ancient Japanese life, in which the en- tertainers brought before the audience in a pleasing manner, many customs, not only of the old life of that interest ing country, but also an insight into a Japanese home of the present day.
Connecticut western news., 1917-02-08
UNION BROTHERHOOD SUPPER
pr. John Calvin Goddard to be the
 Speaker of the Evening.

a The next Brotherhood supper is booked for next Thursday night (Feb- ruary l5) at Pilgrim church. These suppers have attained high reputation and this one will no doubt come up to the mark. The ladies of the church will furnish the supper and while they haven't announced theIr menu, there is no doubt but that it will be a good one
 The principal speaker of the evening will be the Rev. John Calvin Goddard D. D. of Salisbury. Dr. Goddard needs no introduction to Canaan men. Six years ago he spoke at one of the first suppers of the Pilgrim church Brotherhood, but has never spoken to the united Brotherhouds. He is one of the best known speakers in Conn., ecticut and is in constant demand for suppers all over the state and in New York city, where he has spoken at a number of notable gatherings such as the New England society and the So. ciety of the Cincinnati. Dr. Goddard s addresses are interesting from start to finish; he is wit but mere than a wit; there is sage philosophy and sound sense in all that he says. His topic will be announced next week. It is hoped that a large number of men will gather for this affair. Supper at the usual price. Time [ o'clock. Good Supper. Good Music. Good Talking Good Fellowship.
Connecticut western news., 1917-02-08
GOSHEN FIRE DEPARTMENT.

A meeting called by the selectmen of Goshen was held in the town hall there Thursday for the purpose of organizing fire department. The fol- lowing officers were chosen: Chief, John P. Porter; captain, Harry North assistants, Ernest Vaill, Stephen Allen, Frank W. Seaton, Elmer Robinson, Edward Luddington and Joseph North. The organization will hold its first an. nual ball Feb. 22. Total membership 25. The department has a combination chemical engine, the gift of Walter B. Lasher, of Bridgeport, who has a sum- me1 home in Goshen.
Connecticut western news., 1917-02-08
HE LAST HANGING.

To those who witnessed the last hanging at the Litchfield County jail and to the residents of this town W ho remember it, it seems but few short years ago that capital punishment was meted out to Andrew Borjerson. Yet time surely has wings, and our calen- dar tells us that it was twenty five years ago Monday, since Borjerson, a Swede. paid the penalty with his life for the murder of his sweetheart.
 Emma Anderson, also of Swedish descent, worked for a family by the name of Buckingham, in Worthwhile, a Preston. After a lovers quarrel, Bor- jerson wrote to Miss Anderson, to whom he was engaged, asking her to meet him at certain place. This she failed to do, and, according to Borjer. sons confession, her employers refused to let her out at that time. The result was that Borjerson gained admission to her room on the night of August 1, 1890, by the use of plank and stab. bed her to death.
 After several trials and confinement in jail of over year and a half, Bor- jerson was finally hanged. The same gallows, designed by prominent New Haven physician, who had made a study of capital punishment, had been used to hang several other murderers in different parts of the state.
 The first execution which took place in Litchtield, was that of John Jacobs. Jacobs, an Indian, was convicted of the murder of John Crocker, also an In. dian, and executed Nov. 12, 1768. The second was that of Barnet Daven- port for the murder of the Mallory family in Washington. He was hanged May 8, 1780. The third was Thomas Goss of Barkhamsted, who split his wife's had open with an ax, because he claimed she was witch. He forbade his counsel to apply for a reprieve, be- cause, he said, the sheriff could not hang him.
 This summary of gruesome happen ings of the past is not again brought before the public because we, as a but simply as a reminder that those who have gone before us, strived to make this an ideal place in which to live. by preserving law and order. They finally passed a law forbidding executions of any kind to take place here. We, as the younger generation, should strive still harder and make it unnecessary to have any executions anywhere Enquirer.
Connecticut western news., 1917-02-08
CONNECTICUT GETS se2, lso.

Apportionment of SI0, GOO, 900 to ai,t the states in the construction of rural post roads, the second annual distribu- tion in accordance with the federal aid road law has been announced by Sec retary Houston of the department of agriculture. The fund are the appor- tionment of the fiscal year ending June, 30, 1918.
 To meet the cost of administering the law $300.0 has been deducted. The remaining 80, 700, 900 is appor- tioned among the states, Connecticut receiving $62, ,lS0; Maine, S9G, 9o3s Massachusetts, $147, ,701; New Hamp- shire, $4l. 993; Rhode Island, S23, 33l- and Vermont S45, ,6SS.