davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1917-01-05
Slayer Of Artists
Model a Suicide
SHOT HIMSELF AS DETECTIVES
KNOCKED ON DOOR
AT ATLANTIC CITY
Bernard Wesley Lewis, of a Wealthy
Pittsburg FamiIy-Was Estranged
From Wife and Dauahter-Onee
Wealthy, But Had Met With Bus
mess Reverses.

Atlantic City, N. J., Jan. 5.-Bernard
Wesley Lewis. scion of wealthy
Pittsburgh family, who had been
of Maizie Colbert. the artists model,
in a Philadelphia apartment last Sat
urday, killed himself with a rifle in
the bathroom adjoining his bedroom
in the exclusive States Villa, on
States avenue, tonight, as two local
detectives raped for admittance on
the door of his room.
Bullet in Temple.
The bullet entered the mans tenn
pie and death is believed to have been
instantaneous That Lewis anticipated
himself is indicated by the fact that
the rifle was brand new.
Yesterday Captain of Detectives
Malls Malseed Sntst, received @ communicating N
Philadelphia, asking him to endeavor
to locate Lewis. Detectives learned
that Lewis was known at States Villa,
but up to O'Clock last night he had
not arrive dat the house.
Talked Over TeIephone.
About o'clock tonight word come
over the telephone to Captain NAL
seeds office that a man answering the
description of Lewis had entered
States Villa and was eating dinner.
Detectives Farley and Totten imme-
diately left headquarters, rushed to
the house and learned that Lewis had
gone up to his room on the third floor
They hurried upstairs and raped on
the door of the bedroom.
'fWho is there?" Lewis called out.
I'VE have a message for you,'' Far
ley answered Let us in-''
"All right" was the reply.
A moment later the detectives heard
a door bang inside the room. Thinking
Lewis was attempting to escape
through a window, they hurried to an
adjoining room from which there was
a communicating door to the bathroom
of Lewis apartment As they tried
the door the rifle shot rang out.
keyhoIe Had Been Plugged.
They tried to insert a key in the
door, but found that the keyhole had
been plugged. They then hurried
around to door leading to Lewis
bedroom, where they finally effected
an entrance. The door to the bath
room was locked however. and they
were forced to break it OPEN
Lewis was found half reclining in
the bathtub. His finger still clutched
the trigger Of the rife and the muz-
zle rested against his temple.
Cut of Maizie Colbert.
On the bureau in Lewis room were
several copies of today's Philadelphia,
Atlantic City and New York newspa-
perS Across the front page of one of
them ran the headline:
."Giri May Solve Model Mystery"
Under this was a large column cut
of Maizie Colbert.
Lewis was positively identified by
the owners of the hotel. He was ap-
parently about SO years of age.
Continued on Page Three, Fifth coI)
Norwich bulletin., 1917-01-05
LAWSON TO TESTIFY
AT LEAK" HEARING
Gives Up An Intended Trip to Europe
For That Purpose.


Washington, Jan. 4-Thomas w.
Lawson, telegraphed Speaker Clark to-
night that he had cancelled plans for
a trip to Europe and would be in
Washington before breakfast Monday
morning to testify before the house
rules committee, which today ordered
public hearings on Representative
Woods charge that a leak gave Wall
Street advance information about
President Wilson's peace note.
Is Democratic members of the COM
nlittee were greatly exercised over the
first telegram, which suggested that
the investigation might be postponed
until spring or summer. The speak
er was inclined to the opinion that un-
der the wording of the resolution ask
ding for a special congressional inves-
stigation, congress was powerless to
force e.sAIr441LaWson's attendance. He
conferred with members of the COM
n,ittee,- but before he had reached any
decision as to what further steps he
would take the second message arriv-
ed.
In accordance with a decision reach
ed by unanimous vote of the rules
committee committee today. the first
public hearing on the charges will
open tomorrow morning. Inasmuch as
representative Gardner, one of the
chief witnesses expected to appear. Is
in Detroit and Mr.. Lawson will not be
here it is probable that the commit
tee will adjourn over until Monday.
Representative Wood, father of the
resolution, is the only other witness
that the committee plans to call at
this time.
There was much speculation here to-
night as to the identity of {, New York
banker, who Mr.. Lawson said in his
telegram might give information about
the leak and was also leaving for
Europe. There may be further COM
munication with Mr.. Lawson on this
auoStiO0
Norwich bulletin., 1917-01-05
YOUNG COUPLE SHOT
WHILE RIDING IN TAxIcA5.
Driver Said He Heard the Man Urging
the Young Lady to Marry Him.

Brookline, Mass. Jan. 4.-James J..
Riley of SomerviIle and Miss Mildred
Melzain, a stenographer, were shot and
dangerously wounded tonight while
riding in a taxicab to her home here
The driver of the cab told the police
that he had overheard a conversation
in which the man appeared to be urg-
ing the young woman to marry him,
and a few minutes later shots were
fred.
Miss MeIzain is a daughter of for
n1er member of the Boston Symphony
orchestra and is 19 years of age. Riley
is "a and employed as railroad claim
agent. According to the police, the
cnly statement they could obtain from
Riley was: Il did it because 1 wanted
TO die
Both the man and woman were un-
conscious at the hospital at late
hour. She was found to have bullets
II. her right side and wrist, while Riley
was shot three times-in the forehead,
abdomen and thigh.
The chauffeur said that the man en-
gagged him at his stand in front of a
Back Bay hotel to take them to Brook
line When nearing University road
where. the girl lived, the chauffeur
heard shots, and Immediately after
ward the girl opened the door of the
car and ran up the street a few hun
manned in his seat, wounded, and the
chauffeur drove him to police head
quarters, where HE condition was seen
to be SO serious that he was removed
to the hospital while officers went to
the home of Miss Melzain.
Riley, the police learned, had been
paying attention to Miss Melzain for
several months, although the affair
vas not looked upon as serious by her
family. Since the death of her father
last summer, Mildred, the youngest of
family of six children, had been en-
ployed in Boston.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-01-05
HOUSE DEFEATS AMENDMENT
TO THE ADAMSON 1 Au
1t Would Have Continued the New
lands Railway Committee for One
Year.

Washington, Jan. "A proposed
rule to compel immediate amendment
OF the Adamson law to continue the
NeWlandS railway committee for one
year from next Monday, favorablv re-
ported today, was defeated in the
house 167 to 145
Under present law the committee
goes out OF existence January 8. Pres
loent wilson wanted it continued.
without a special rule it is probably
impossible to get an extension through
the house. The committee was work
ing on transportation problems gen
orally, not on the legislation to sup
plement the Adamson law.
Republicans denounced the resolu-
ton as designed solely to provide a
position for Representative Cullop of
Indiana, a democrat of the committee.
who retires from congress at the close
or the session. He would have been
retained "at a suitable salary
1t also was contended that since the
organization of the committee last Au-
gust for the purpose of studying all
phases of the railroad situation, it has
heard only a few witnesses most of
whom were authors of books or arti-
cles which contained virtually their
testimony
Representative AdaEnson announced
later that he would endeavor to have
the Interstate Commerce committee,
of which he is chairman, report the
resolution tomorrow
Norwich bulletin., 1917-01-05
Pope Benedict for
Christian Unity
TAKES UP WORK BEGUN BY
POPE LEO XIII
CHECKED BY Plus x
To Cultivate Friendly Relations With
the Anglican Church and Seek the
Establishment of a Reunion With the
Russian Orthodox Church-connnis-
sion of Four Cardinals Appointed.

washington, Jan. 4.-Private letters
from the vatican received bv DIR a
Palmieri of the library of congress. a
recognized writer on ecclesiastical sub
?ects, announce that Pope Benedict XIV
y ABOUT TO appoint a commission of
four cardinals to renew a rnoveroent
begun by Pope Leo XIII and aban-
doned by Pope Plus X looking to a
reunion of Christianity and the cultf-
VStlon OF friendly relations with the
Anglican church. A public announce
ment on the subject from Rome is
expected soon.
Reunion of Russian Church With
Papacy.
DR.. Palmieri said tonight that tba
new movement, as outlined in his ad-
Continued on Page Two. Sixth colJ
Norwich bulletin., 1917-01-05
CONVICTED OF MURDER
ON PERJURED TESTIMONY
Herman BiIIik, Released From Joliet,
Consents to Marriage of His Daugh- =
ter and the Periurer.

Chicago, Jan. 4.-Bent, white haired
and fifty, Herman Billik left Chicago
tonight for Cleveland to begin life
anew. Billik was freed from Joliet
prison after serving eight years fol-
lowing his conviction for murder on
testimony which is now admitted to
have been perjured.
He bore no malice, he said, toward
Jerry Vrzal, who confessed he had per
jured. himself to convict Billik of the
murder of one of the five members of
the Vzral family who died by poison.
Commenting upon reports that his
daughter, Edna, 10 years old, is en-
gagged to Vrza1, he said: eff she loves
married.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-01-05
TORNADO IN OKLAHOMA
KILLED FIFTEEN CHILDREN
Shattered SchooIhouse Near Blacker,
Okla.-Victims Mostly Girls.

Muskogee, Okla, Jan 4-OnIy one
of the fifty children in a frame school
near Blocker, Okla, escaped injury
when a tornado shattered the building
late today. Late reports indicate that
Is of the children, mostly girls, were
killed. The teacher a woman, is
missing, and persons living in the
neighborhood of the schoolhouse ex-
press the opinion that she was killed
and her body blown away
Early reports of deaths in other To-
calities of southeastern Oklahoma an
pear unfounded, according to inforna
ion here. Scores of physicians and
volunteer nurses left for the school
house when first word of the storm s
ravages was taken to Blocker, seven
miles distant, by a runner. None of
them has returned The extent of the
material damage caused by the storm
is unknown.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-01-05
RAILROAD LEGISLATION
TO BE PRESSED IN HUoSE
Designed to Prevent Railroad Employ
es From Striking Without Giving go
Days Notice.

Washington, Jan. 3.-RaiIroad 1egis-
iation desired by President Wilson to
pressed in the house today without
waiting for action by the senate Aft
er conference with the president to-
day and while the senate committee
was continuing its hearings on the
subject, Representative Adamson the
chairman of the house commerce com
mittee, announced that within few
days he would introduce and seek the
passage of bills designed to prevent
railroad employees from striking with
iYinEa sixty days notice. and to
empower the, president TO pIaeeastied4
up roads in the hands of military sau-
thorities in case of public necessity
1t has been understood that the pres
ldent wanted the railroad programme
completed by amendments to a meas
ure now pending in the senate Mr..
Adamson said today, however, that he
was tired of waiting for the senate to
act. They will run on with these
hearings for 1 don't know how long"
he added, land l doubt if the members
know much more about the subject
when the hearings are over than they
do now"
Mr. Adamson also will press his
proposed special rule, now in the house
rules committee, for immediate con-
sideration of his resolution to extend
the life of the Newlants railway in
vestigating committee for one year.
l.
next Monday unless it is extended. OBJ
lection by Representative Rayburn of
Texas today blocked unanimous con-
sent for consideration of fhe resolution.
Vigorous opposition to the proposed
compulsory notice measure from or
ganiZed labor generally is anticipated.
1t was to fight such proposals that
four railway brotherhoods and the
American Federation of Labor repre-
sentatives recently allied themselves
unofficially. They oppose all meas
ures ssrcing men to labor.
Brotherhood officials are expected
here within the next few days to testi-
fy before the senate committee. and it
is expected that they will then inaug-
urate a fight on the Adamson pro-
posals.
House leaders pointed out tonight
that passage of the Adalnson bills by
the house would not interfere with the
senate procedure. The senate has
before it a bill passed by the house at
the last session to enlarge the inter-
state commerce commission and any
house measures easily could be at
tached to it as amendments Action
on the entire bill in conference then
would be prompt, it is agued
Norwich bulletin., 1917-01-05
AWAIT PRESIDENTS DECISION
ON MEXICAN SITUATION
whether Conferences of the Joint Conn
mission Will Be Brought to an End.

Washington, Jan. 4.-Interest in the
Mexican situation remained centered
tonight on what action by President
wilson might follow his approval of
the recommendation of the American
members that conferences of the Mexi-
can American joint commission be
brought to an end.
DR.. j. r. Mott. one Of the American
commissioners, carried TO the Mexican
members to New York today a formal
General Carranza in which he had
again refused to ratify the protocol
providing for the withdrawal of Amer
lean troops from Mexico If Luis Cab
rera, chairman of the Mexican eroup.
and his colleagues. Ignacio Bonillas
meeting will be held, probably in
Washington, merely for the expression
or the fornlalities incident to dissoIu-
tion of the commission. =
There has been no announcement of
the presidents decision as to the
American commissioners suggestion
that he act on his own Initiative in
the matter of withdrawing the troops
and then diplomatic channels be pro-
Vided for dealing with questions at
issue between the two governments.
1t appears certain, however that Hem
ry p. Fletcher will be sent to his post
in Mexico as ambassador.
Some administration officials oppose
haste in ordering PershinC's men out
of Mexico. on the ground that it might
give Carranza the impression that it
was of his insistence, when in reality
the chief move would be to release ma
tional guard on the border and take
the regulars out of poor strategic DO
sition.
Secretary Baker conferred with the
president late today and later an
nounced that there was no change in
the situation.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-01-05
ADMINISTRATIONS PLAN
FOR FLOOD CONTROL
Administration FaVors Appointment
of Commission by Congress.

Washington, Jan. 4.-President Will
son indicated definitely today that the
administration will favor the creation
during the present session of congress
of a commission to investigate plans
for co-ordinating as far as possible
all governmental work connected with
the interior waterways of the nation,
including river improvement drain
age. irrigation and flood control.
Details of the plan were discussed
by the president yesterday with Chair
man Sparkman of the house rivers
and harbors committee and today with
Secretary Baker. Senator Newlands,
author of several bills on the question,
and Chairman Fletcher of the senate
commerce committee. The proposal is
to have the committee composed of the
secretaries of war, commerce, agri-
culture and three civilian engineers
appointed by the president.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-01-05
FRENCH WAR PRISONERS
MOSTLY OF YOUTHFUL AGE
Fifty three Per Cent. Are Between
Ages of 18 and 20.

Berlin, Jan. 4.-(By Wireless to Say
ville). Fifty-three per cent of the
French prisoners brought into central
station on the German front on the
Somme sector during the autumn were
between 18 and 20 years, says the
Overseas News Agency. During Nov
ember the proportion of prisoners be-
tween those ages was increased to 65
increase. OF the British prisoners de-
scribed as too young were less than
80 per cent.
Fffty-two per cent of the French
prisoners brought to that statement in
November previously had been sum-
moned to service. ten per cent. previ-
ously had been wounded twice and
two per cent. had been wounded three
times.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-01-05

In the wooded Carpathians, the Rus
slams in an attack captured from the
Germans an advanced position north
of Meste-Canesci. Petrograd reports
that in this fighting the Russians took
six hundred men prisoner and cap
tured three cannon. sixteen machine
guns and other war material.
On the other fronts the operations
are still confined to RECIPROCAL bonn
bardments and engagements between
small accommodating parties. IN Ga
licia the Austro- Germans delivered
several attacks against the Russians,
but they proved unsuccessful. Raids
of German trenches northeast of. Ar
ras and in the neighborhood of Wyt-
schaete are reported by the London
war office. which asserts also that a
German attempt against British
trenches east of Armentieres was put
down with losses to the attackers.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-01-05
MISSING HONOR CONVICT
is READY TO RETURN
Henry A. Schapper Was SO Hours
Overdue at Kansas Penitentiary. !.

Leavenworth, Kas., Jan Am of
ficer of the state penitentiary here left
today Fort Worth. Texas, to obtain
custody of Henry A. Schapper, miss
ing honor convict, who reported to the
Fort Worth police today and an
'nounced that he was ready to return
to prison, 36 hours after his ten day
Christmas parole had lapsed. Ohicers
of the prison confessed them mselves at
a loss tonight to know how to proceed
with Schapper's case.
Dispatches from Fort Worth said
that Schapper declared he had been
without money and had remained
there since Monday with his wife
Schapper announced that he would re-
turn at once to Leavenworth without
guards.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-01-05
A YUcATAN CORPORATION
CONTROLS PRICE OF SIsAL
Increased Price Has Cost American
Farmers Millions of Dollars.

Washington, Jan. 4-Iigh price of
sisal, the binder twine hemp controll-
ed by the commission reguladora, a
Yucatan corporation. was taken up at
conference today between Secretary
Redfeld, Chairman Hurley of the fed
eral trade commission and Charles d.
Orth, of New York. a dealer in hemp.
Later they went to the department of
justice.
Yucatan sisal provides more than 80
per cent. of the binder twine used in
the United States and the great in
crease in price during the last two
years has cost American farmers mill
lions of dollars. Indication are that
it will go still higher.
So far the United States govern
ment has found no means of curbing
the activities of the commission reg
Sladora, American bankers, however,
have financed the monopoly and there
are intimations that the department of
consider their connection
Norwich bulletin., 1917-01-05
CREW OF ToRPEDoED
STEAMER PROBABLY LOST
Only One Piece of Wood With Name
of Ship Washed Ashore.

London, Jan. 4, s.26 p m-An ad-
miralty announcement of another case
of "callous disregard for the lives of
non -combatants came to light says
that nothing further has been heard
of the British steamer North Wales
proceeding in ballast from Hull for
Canada, which German wireless des-
patch on November 10 reported as
having been torpedoed
AS only one piece of wood marked
North Wales has been washed
ashore together with some bodies on
the Cornish coast, it is presumed that
the crew which took to the boats in
the gales then raging were drowned.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-01-05

Except for a narrow strip of land
projecting into the Danube marshes
toward the MoIdavian town of Ga1atz,
all of Dobrudja has been cleared by
the Teutonic allies of Russian and
Rumanian troops. After the fall of
Matchin and Jijilia, the defenders be-
gan a retreat across the Danube to-
ward Braila. and according to Berlin,
a force of Russian rear guards on the
peninsula projecting toward Galatz
comprises the only entente troops now
in Rumania between the Danube river
and the Black Sea.
In Moldayia the Teutonic allies, de-
spite the heavy SHOWS, are continuing
their invasion of the country from the
south and west, although along the
front of Field Marshal Won Mackensen
in the former region they are meeting
with strong resistance at various
points from the Russian and Ruman-
ian troops.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-01-05
ANNUAL MILLION DOLLAR
FUND FOR GOOD ROADS
Provide For Roads and Trails in Ma
tonal Forests.

Washington. Jan. 4-Alotments Of
the annual million dollar fund provided
in connection with the federal good
roads law for roads and trains in ma
tional forests were announced today
The group of eastern states. Maine
New Hampshire, Georgia. North and
South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia.
and West Virginia,-in which the gov
ernment is purchasing lands for ma
tional forests receives $21120.
Ten per cent. of the amount avail
able for 1918 is withheld. as a con-
tingent fund. One-half Of the re-
mainder has been apportioned among
the states in amounts based on the
area of the national forest lands in
each, while the other half has been
allotted on a basis of the estimated
yalue of the timber and forage re-
sources which the forests contain.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-01-05
WATERFORD YOUTH KILLED
BY HIGA TENSION WIRE
James E. Dougherty, 1e-Hand Came
in Contact With Break in Insulation.

New Haven, Conn, Jan. flames
E. Dougherty, 19 years old, was in
stantly killed today at che Whitney
Blake wire mill in Hamden, when his
hand came in contact with a break
in the insulation of a highly charged
electric wire The accident occurred
in the tehting room. Fellow employ
es shut off the power and used a pull
motor in an effort to save his life,
but without avail.
Dousherty recently came to New Ha-
E;an from Waterford and lived with a
sister in Lombard street.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-01-05
FIRE ON FIFTH FLOOR
OF A NEW HAVEN HOTEL.
Twenty Guests Driven from Their
Rooms at New Crown Hotel.

New Haven, Conn.,, Jan. 5.-Twenty
guests were driven from their rooms
a the New Crown hotel in Crown
street in the heart of the city early
today by a fire that started on the fifth
floor For a time the blaze threatened
to spread to tn centre structure and
TO other nearby buildings, but the fire.
men got the fire under control quickly.
The clerk of the hotel said he be-
lie-ed everyone escaped from the
building. The origin OF the blaze has
not been determined
Norwich bulletin., 1917-01-05
SEVERE FIGHTING SOUTH.
OF CHIHUAHUA CITY
Between Villa Forces and General
Mureuia's Command.

Ell Raso, Tex, Jan. 4.-Severe fight
ing between Villa forces and General
Francisco Murguia's command south
CT Chihuahua City was reported late
today by government agents. General
Murguia was said to have gone south
from the capital with virtually his en-
tire column to reinforce the troops
sent out Saturday night and Sunday
1t was also reported from the same
source tonight that two of Murguia's
advance guard troop trains had been
captured by Villa troops and two 9TH
ers attacked at some point south of
Bachimbapass. Villa was reported to
be in the vicinity of Santa Rosalina
with his staff,
Norwich bulletin., 1917-01-05
TEUTONS MOVING
TOWARD BRALA
Have Driven Russian and Rumanian Forces Toward
the MoIdavian Town OF GaIa1
INVADERS CONTROL FROM DANUBE TO BLACK SEA

Force of Russian Rear Guards the Only Troops of De-
Tenders Now Remaining In Dobruda-In Macedonia
the Gerraanic Allies Are Continuing Their Invasion
From the South and West But Are Encountering Strong
Resistance Various Points- the Wooded Carpathi-
ans the Russians Have Captured Advanced German
Position North of Meste-Canesc
Norwich bulletin., 1917-01-05

Two firennen were killed and six
others injured when an auto engine
of Union Hill, N. j., answering an
alarm, skidded and ran into lot
against a tree.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-01-05
THREE SMALL CHILDREN
BURNED TO DEATH
When Their Home Was Destroyed by
Fire on Lonely Road Near Hast
inqs, NJ. Y.

Syracuse, n. Y, Jan. 4.-Their es-
cape cut off by flames and smoke
three small children of Mr.. and Mrs.
Leland Alsever were burned to death
in a fire that destroyed their home on
a lonely road near Hastings, Oswego
county, late today
The children were Irene, ); Hobart,
8, and a baby nine months old.