New Britain herald., 1917-03-17
Plainviue News
VETERAN SJCCUMBS
 ON BOTH BIRTHDAY
William R. Shepard Passes Away
 At His Home on Park Street

I At His Home on Park Street INJURY FASTENED HIS END
 Funeral May. Be Held Monday-Fhe-
 men May Have Military Training-
 Tramp Sent to Jail for Impudence-
 Expects Favorable Action-Bxiefs.
 William R. Shepard, Civil War
 veteran, and a we'll known resident
 of Plainville for many years, died last night at his home on Park street. his l passing occurring on the eightieth 1 anniversary of his birth. MT. Shep-
 ard fell and broke his knee cap sev- eral weeks ago and while he. was laid l up with the injury ailments incident to advanced age set in. His condition had been critical for number of | days and his death was not unexpect- ! ed.
 | Although his health had been satis- factory until his recent accident. MT. l Shepard for long time had enter ! tained 2 wish to die after he became ] an octogenarian but he frequently ex- pressed the hope that he would live until he passed the eight!eth miie- stone in lfe's journey. That this wish might be realized he put up hard fight during the past few days against the ravaSes of diseases with which he was afflicted and on the arrival of his
 birthday anniversary he gave up the battle, passing away quietly last evening. v MT. Shepard came here from the west a number of years ago. For some time he worked as a florist, operating a greenhouse in the eastern section. He was also employed Tor number of years in the E. N. Pierce lumber yards. He was prominent Tn the affairs of the Baptist church for a long time and during tho past lew years served as sexton.
 Mir. Shepard was in the northern army during the civil war, enlisting in the west when the call 70 arms was sent out by President Lincoln. He was at one time a member of Newton Manross post, c. A. R.
 He is survived by two daughters one of whom lives in East Bristol, the other in Kansas. Arrangements for the funeral will not be completed un- til the latter is heard from, but 1t is probable that the services will be held Monday afternoon, Rev. !. G. Ward, pastor of the Baptist church of- f1ciating. Interment will be in West cemetery.
 Tramp Goes to Jail.
 John Rourke, charged with intoxi- cation and breach of the peace, was fined $7 and costs and sentenced to jail for thirty days yesterday when he appeared before Justice Condell, Grand Juror Norton prosecuting. RoHrke was arrested Thursday by Constable Marino, after he had ere ated a disturbance at a house near Blossoms corner because of his dis satisfaction with the quality of q sand-' wich which had been given him in re- sponse to his demand for food.
 Frank Rice also received 8 thirty day sentence in addition to $7 fine. He was arrested Thursday night by Constable Marino, who found him in ss drunken slumber near the center.
 Seeks Uncle Sam's Permission
 Postmaster F. !. Prior has written to his superiors in Washington ask ing for permission to accept the ap- pointment as a recruiting officer of the Home Guard, a position to which he was assigned by the state commis- sion. The postal rules forbid post master from holding other public of fees. but it is not believed that the department at Washington win use it's regulations to interfere with the or sanitation of the companies which are to protect Connecticut in case of war with foreign powers. Appointed to to serve with MT. Prior as recruiting agents are S. S. Gwillim and B. H. Hills. They will probably begin their duties as soon as the enlistment blanks are received from the legislative con- mission.
 Fire Chief Norton Is considering a plan for military training for mem bers of the hose company in connec- tion with the formation of the guard. In case of internal trouble the serv- ices of the firemen, under the condi- tions now existing, would be the first reauisitioned, and the chief of the de- 1artment wants his men prepared in case they should be needed. Among the members Is William Cassidy, a Spanish war veteran, who had actual experience in the Philippines and who is trained in military rnaneuvers. He will be delegated by the chief to drill the firemen.
 Three Weeks Coal Supply.
 While Plainville would suffer great l ly from a tie up of the railroads, re- sulting from a strike of the trainmen, ! the town would not be greatly incon- venienced for time at least from a scarcity of coal. local dealers re- porting that they have enough anthra- cite in their bins to supply the trade | for about three weeks.
 Nut coal, however, which is in the | greatest demand is held by the dealers | in small quantities only. and in the