davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1918-03-31
electrically
OPERATED GUN.
KNOWNOF
FOR a YEARS.

One week ago the world marveled
at the report that super-cannon were
bon1bsrding Paris from distance OF
sevsnty-fiye miles. Scientists, inven-
tors ana ordnance experts wsr ealmost
a unit in saying It was an impossible
feat. The iaity simply agreed, 'It
can't be done"
Today ell virtually admit not only
the possibility but the existence of
such q gun. The bombardment of
Paris has continued for eight days.
Seven such guns are believed to be in
action from the forests of st. Gobain.
Comparatively, the damage being done
10 negligible. The apparent object OF
the big guns is to make the French
believe that Paris Is under fire.
Even to the people OF Germany, de-
tails Of the type Of the gun are still
hacking. Its accomplishments were
almost as great q surprise to Germany
a. to the rest OF the world.
May BE BIrkeIand Invention.
There are some who contend that
the gun is based on patent secured
in Washington, D. c., on March Is,
1904. by KristIan Birkeiand, swede,
who has secured through the Patent
offIce in this city half a dozen patents
on various inventions.
The Birkeland gun is an electro
magnetic gun, operated by electricity
and claimed by the inventor to be
noiseless and smokeless, and capable
OF accomplishing feats which no gun
now in Nexistence has been able to
equal Nt.H
'fFor throwing an iron projectile
weighing two tons and containing
1000 pounds OF nitrogelatin at an in
itial speed OF 1000 feet per second"
says the inventor,<'T make use of a
gun Of q length OF about ninety feet,
the pro5ectile being about nine feet
long and having q diameter of about
nineteen inches.'
EIectrIcity Ia PropeIlant.
4 series Of solenoIds. whose contact
arms eleetrify the projectIIs as It
passes through the gun. furnish velocity,
which IL increased as the proIectiie
moves from contact with one solen.id to
the other. Each contributes to accel-
crate the speed of the projectile.
Released from one set of contact arms,
which are electrically charged. the pro-
Jectile rushes to the mouth of the can
non. Beginning at the breech OF the gun,
the pro5ectile is handed from one sole
noid 70 another until 1t reaches the
mouth and Is discharged.
1he velocity gained while making its
course through the big gun depends on
ne number OF solenoids. Therefore, the
The Washington times., 1918-03-31
PLEASURE-AS-USUAL
PATRIOTS
We Demand Rebate in Fiddling and Dancing
For Our War Funds
By MRS. GRANNY RYLON.

Why is it we can never contrib
ute to a war fund like the Red
Cross, Belgian babies, men blind
ed IN battle, or any other worthy
cause without demanding a rebate
lin the way of fiddling and dane
ing?
Wen give 81, So, or S. for any
Of these things, if the list of pat
ronesses looks good to US, but we
insist on having our '1izard leap"
: as usual.
Our Eternal Bargain Hunting.
Are We whistling in the dark to
keep up our courage, or has bar
gain hunting eaten into our souls
so completely that we can't give
cup of cold water to quench a dy-
ing soldiers thirst without some
sort Of junketing on the side?
The answer is, this is long-dis-
tance war, and we have not vet
begun to realize. we are actually
involved. If our windows were
rafting with the thunder Of bat
tie, as windows are rafting today
along the English coast, we'd
wake up from our trance and ap-
preciate fully that to win the war
wed have to do more than dance
with the Longevity Battalion,
Swivel Chair Army.
To Win We Must Fast and Pray,
We'd know that to win we must
deny ourselves, and give in prayer
and fasting, blood and tears; that
the war is our war-and not some
lamentable casualty at the antip-
odes, that we are graciously
pleased to ameliorate by dancing
and fiddling, at so much the head
Berlin must have INDUCED in a
good many Gott sci Danks! the
other morning when their papers
announced that Russia had given
up, Roumania had given up, the
throne OF Courland had been Of
fered to the Kaiser, and hundreds
OF thousands OF men released for
work on the western front. and
Washington, D. c., was indulging
in a camoufage ball! CamoufiaRe.
could we have expressed our idea
Of the war more epigrammatically?
What N. Tardleu Said in Baltimore.
And in the midst Of all this i'd
ding and festivity NJ. Andre Tar
dieu, French high commissioner,
addressed an audience in Baltimore
and told them that the wheat
rations Of the French soldiers at
the front had been cut. The
French soldier now gets four
ounces less than he got in jan
uary. The civilian ration has been
cut to less than half that OF the SOL
diers' ration. Brewing has been
abolished to save barley, and no
more cereals are fed to animals.
with the result that the French
have had to kill of their cattle.
In consequence the reduction of
other foods has been reduced, and
reduced again. Sugar, oils, and
fats have been cut to the vanish
ing point.
Appalling French Figures.
This drastic food regime has
been borne without a murmur by
the French, who have modified an
army of 100000 men out of a
Of $4,000, 900 and have
lost nearly 100000 men killed and
1000, 900 wounded.
Into this sorely stricken land,
we are about to send our boys as
fast as ships can carry them, does
it not occur to American men and
women that there are more prac-
teal ways of helping things along,
than by fiddling and dancing.
Our GastronOmic Patriotism.
And when our patriotism is not
it is too largely
gastronomic-the papers are full |
IF knitting teas" sewing teas"
The Washington times., 1918-03-31

tions relating TO several types of
projectiles since July OF last year. he
says. and satisfactory tests have
been made OF them.
The secret of long-range guns lies
not in the gun itself, but in the pro-
jectile, Mr.. Wright claims. and his
contention Is that with the present
ordnance this Government should be
able to develop a projectile that will
easily carry 100 miles or more.
Putnam patriot., 1918-04-12
BODIES OF WRECK VICTIMS RE-
 CLAIMED
Relatives In Putnam Thursday Made
 Provision For Removal.

Relatives of the victims of the rear end collision at Pomfret were in the city Thursday and claimed the re mains of then dear ones whose lives were suddenly snuifed out in the ear ly morning hours, Wednesday.
 Mrs. Redwood, widow of the con duetor whose body was not found. was terribly cast down that she was not even to have the consolation of taking his dead body to his former home for burial
 Besides his wife, he leaves two children and three sisters.
 Mrs. Sauve tainted when she learn ed of the accident to her husbands s train. She was in Hartford and over heard some women talking about Che wreck. He was only 26 years old. The body was taken to East Hartford. The coroner gave permission for all of the bodies to be delivered over to relatives.
Putnam patriot., 1918-04-12
Another Life Lost

The fifth victim of the wreck WIS J. J. Sullivan, member of the Midway wreeking crew. His home is in New London.
 According to eye witnesses of the accident, the crew was lifting and blocking up a steel coal car. Sulli van was among the men working on the job. The coal car was hoisted a foot or two and then lowered. Sulii- van failed to get out of the way. The heavy car struck him on the head, crushing the side of his head in. He was put on a car and an effort was made to get him to the hospital. He died before the train reached the sta tion and the body was taken to Smiths undertaking rooms.
Putnam patriot., 1918-04-12
Of the Trainmen

Little is known of the actions of the trainmen Engineer Corsier of the second engine shot out through the cab window. His fireman, Edward H. Lloyd, stuck to the cab and came off without a scratch. Corsiers head was cut and his left eye blackened and closed, but he only stayed at the hospital short time. He and his fireman were seen in local restaur- ant eating a hearty roast pork dinnei with appetites unaffected by their ex- perience
 Those who were able did all they could to help the less fortunate. En- gineer Cook was found with his leg pinned under some wreckage It was first thought that his leg would nave to be cut off to free him and save his fife, SIS the fire was fast approaching the spot where he lay With heavy timber the men succeeded in freeing him and dragging him to a place of safety.
 One of the crew, who was dazed, said he remembered seeing man hanging and warding off hot water and steam with his arms and hands He could not remember distinctly but a search was made. This was Trainman O'Flaherty, for when his dead body was found he had hand kerchief wound around his wrist and was lying with his head buried in his arm. His body was badly scalded ard his must have been a horrible death.
 The body of F. B. Johnson was also found. The head was crushed in. These two bodies were taken to the undertaking rooms of L. F.. Smith al an early morning hour.
Putnam patriot., 1918-04-12
MORE MEN TO GO
 TO CAMP SOON
Exemption Board Receives Or ders to Send Men This
 Month
Four Will Leave Next Monday

The local exemption board has been receiving orders thick and fast the past week. The latest order is to select men from the list of registrants to be sent to the Parsec Memorial school. Boston, for special training The men are wanted to take special courses in automobile repairing, cleo tric welding, carpentry and sheet met al work. They must at least have reached the eighth grade in school and be physically fit.
 The four who will be sent next Monday are Leo Delisle, Zenon Robillard, Putnam; Joseph A. Bi1- lings, Henry Lafountaine, Killingly. Two more will be sent May lst
 These young men will have an ex- ceptional opportunity to become ex- perts in the lines to which they are assigned, and will doubtless get bet ter berths than the ordinary enlisted men.
 Another call came Thursday. This time men are wanted who are skilled as meturologists, as civil or electrical engineers They are wanted for the science and research division of the signal corps, aviation section, and must be physically fit. If accepted, for the service indicated, they are to be sent to Waco, Texas.
 The board is directed to search through Classes 1, ? and 3 for men such as are wanted and to induct them into the service at some time between April l 5 and April 20. The call for these men is regarded as CO., incident to the speeding up of the war iii so far as America is concerned.
 The first colored contingent to be ordered into service from this district is scheduled to depart April 30 This group of four men will be made up of James Duffy, Norwich, formerly of Danielson; Alfred M Williams, Put nam; Charles S. Henries, Putnam; Raymond H. Moore, Putnam.
 The contingent of 25 men to leave for Camp Upton on April 26, or soon thereafter, is being made up, and men who want to go in 1t may do so by requesting the local board to move up their order numbers. Several such requests already have been re ceived.
Putnam patriot., 1918-04-12
ADDITIONS AND ALTERATIONS
 TO COST $35,0Oo.
Contract For Work At the Grosvenor- dale Company Has Been
 Awarded

The J. W. Bishop Co.,, contractors, of Worcester, has been awarded the contract to build an addition to the hydro-electric plant of the Grosven- ordale Co.,, at North Grosvenordale, Conn, and to make alterations in connection with it, at an estimated cost of about S35, ,000 The addition will consist of two buildings adjoin- ing, which will be used for a turbine room and generator room.
 Both will be of reinforced concrete construction, with tile walls. The turbine room will be F stories high, 30 feet by B, and the generator room one story high, 36 by 40. Work will begin at once and will take about six weeks. Charles W. Prayay, New Bedford, is the engineer and arehi- tect in charge.
Putnam patriot., 1918-04-12
w. D. o-- SOUVENIR FOR SOUVENIR"

William II. Souvenir" Taylor had the pleasure of receiving a souvenir himself this morning in the form of United States Government thrift card, as q first prize in the thrift stamp slogan contest just closed by the Bridgeport Standardization Souvenir" gives out thousands of souvenirs every year and says if only few of these are as pleased as he is when he receives one, his chief object of life to cheer up people is amply rewarded.
Putnam patriot., 1918-04-12
Wreckage Takes Fire And One Body lncinerated. Charred Head All That Was Found
 Of Conductor Lockwood
J. J. SULLIVAN MEMBER OF WRECKINC CREW, WAS FIFTH VICTIM.-HEAD CRUSHED WHILE
 WORKING TO CLEAR TRACKS
Wrecking Work All Day Clearing Worst Wreck
 In Years In This Section

opposite side of engine 327 The ct- boose was crushed to splinters. A box car was reduced to kindling and sev- eral loaded coal cars piled in heap, making q tangled mass of wood, iron
 coal and merchandise that was soon on fire. For short distance the rails were torn up and twisted. Then came a string of eight loaded coal cars that resisted the impact and did not leave the iron. At the rear of this string was another pileup where the rest of the train buckled up and here six more cars were piled in a heap, while merchandise was scattered all about
Putnam patriot., 1918-04-12
RED CROSS AUXILIARY WORK
 ROOM STARTED

An offer, which has been gladly ac- cepted, has been made to the Putnam Red Cross, by the Sisters of the Holy Ghost, to supplement the work in Surgical Dressings. A Sister belong ing to the New England Division, who is also a certified instructor, has standardized the room and has all ready started to work. Our Chapter Supervisor, Mrs. s. B. Overlook, has also standardized the room, and auto matically the organization becomes an auxiliary During the summer large numbers of Sisters are expected to remain at the House, for differing periods of time, and the branch bids fair to be a wonderful asset to the Putnam Chapter.
Putnam patriot., 1918-04-12
HoV, Happened

While railroad officials are reticent about giving out details it is not be- lieved that the Worcester special that was run into was at standstill, So tLere was no occaSon for having | hagmar out. The heavy train pulled by one big engine of the 3200 type was making the up grade east of Pom fret slowly and was with difficulty pulling to the top. AB was shooting eastward with its two engines at a good rate of speed. According to a railroad mans version if fusee had been thrown out at Pomfret station all trouble might have been avoided, but this was not done. The crew of the train ahead was comfortably housed in the caboose, while the en- ginemen of the train following were oblivious to any danger, until sud denly the rear light of the preceding train loomed up but short distance ahead. A couple of warning blaTts were sounded, and then it was every man for himself in the second before the crash came.
Putnam patriot., 1918-04-12
MEETING PUTNAM
 CHAPTER, R. A. M.

The annual meeting of Putnam Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, va held at Masonic Temple, Thursday evening. with the following result: H. F., L. P Merriam.
 King, J. M. Gilmore. Scribe, E. c. Morse, ' Treas, S. M. Wheelock. Sec, C. A. Hawkins. c. of H., A. w. Marcy.
 P. S., Geo. P. Miner.
 R. A. C., Alvan Parsons. G. M, 3rd V., V. V. Reed.
 G. M, 2nd ", G. Prudential
 G. M, 1st V., J. T. Shaw.
 Tyler, A. A. Buchanan.
Putnam patriot., 1918-04-12
Clearing the Tracks

The wreeking crew from East Hartford was first to arrive. It was quickly augmented by the crew from Readville. The crew from Midway was the last to arrive. A large gang was set to work shoveling burning grain from near the tender of an en- zine in the hopes of uncovering the missing bodies. The switching engine came on the scene and water was played upon the burning wreckage until the watertank was exhausted.
 At the lower end of the wreck sal vaging of merchandise was going on and soon the banking was piled high with cases and boxes. Considerable
Putnam patriot., 1918-04-12
People View Scene

As fast as people came into the business section of the city in the ear ly morning hours they heard of the wreck and automobiles were soon on the way. From Danielson, Pomfret and other nearby towns there was . steady stream of sightseers. It be- gan to snow and the wind blew gale. the people standing about jumping up and down to keep the blood eircu- lating, unwilling to leave the inter esting sight of seeing the crews un- tangle the mass of wood and iron.
Putnam patriot., 1918-04-12
EMMA LAVINE TAKEN TO TOWN
 FARM

Emma Lavine, who recently appear ed in the city court as witness against three Putnam men charged with assaulting her. has been taken to the town farm with her child.
 She lost her job in the mill on ac- count of her physical condition and had been picking up coal and wood trying to keep a little warmth in her squalid home. She had depended en- tirely upon kind hearted people for her food and that of her child, who cried for milk.
Putnam patriot., 1918-04-12
ALPHONSE LEDGER DIED SAT
 URDAY MORNING

Alphonse Ledger, 39, died Satur- day morning. The funeral was held at St. Mary's church Monday
 Ledger had been practically help less for over year and his body was running with sores and the little baby of the household ran barefooted through the blood that dripped from self to the table
 The mother fought heroicaily to care for the family and was discover ed by the women vice crusaders who went to her rescue.
 Besides the wife three young chil- dren survive. They have gone to the home of relatives in Ballouville.
Putnam patriot., 1918-04-12
LIBERTY LOAN
 OFF WITH RUSH
Pomfret First to Subscribe For Ouota.-Woodstock Fol
 lows Shortly.
Thompson and Putnam Expect to Come Under the Wire This
 Week

The third Liberty Loan has started with a rush Pomfret was the first town to come across with it's quota of subscriptions. AS understood this is made up of several large subserip- tions. Mere are coming ia and it is hoped to go away beyond the towns quota of S36.000, as it was reported Monday that $55,o00 had already been promised.
 Wednesday night Woodstock an nounced that it had followed in the footsteps of the adjoining town. It has oversubscribed it's quota of $22,- 900, and expects to get at least $ta,- GOO more.
 Chairman Corttis of Thompson had not figured up just the amount sub scribed for in that town, whose al- lotment is $57,400, but he says that the town will come over the top by Saturday night
 In Putnam the subscriptions are coming in well and Putnam is expect ei to line up with the neighboriug towns The quota this year is unus- ually high. being $I93,o00 Chair man GiIpatric expects to make it, however.
 All towns are out for the honor flag. To get them the citizens must be ready with their money when the eanvassers come, or go to the nearest place and subscribe voluntarily. Ev- erybody must buy.
 The honor flag of the third Liberty Loan is awarded by the United States Treasury Department to every town in the country which sells it's quota of Liberty Bonds in the present cam paign. Every town which wins the right to fly this flag will have it's name inscribed on the State honor roll un der a State honor flag to be unfurl- ed at the State capital. The results in each state will be indicated on a National honor flag which will be raised in the Treasury Department in Washington and remain there perma- lently.
 Liberty Bonds are an investment in the United States of America. They are direct promise to pay back with interest the money that you invest. This promise of the United States is the safest investment on earth.
 The difference between $100 tuck ed away in your home and S100 in vested in Third Liberty Loan bonds is that if you keep the $100 in cash, at the end of the year $10O is all you have, but if you buy a $10O bond of the Third Liberty Loan, at the end of the year you have the $l00 bond and the interest.
 The reason you should buy Liberty Bonds is because our sons and our neighbor's sons are making our fight abroad. Victory depends largely oa whether they are supplied with sui ticient guns, ammunition and other necessaries to win, and their condi- tion upon returning depends upon the care which is taken of them in and behind the lines. It is up to us to supply money for the sinews of war and every comfort that can be given our fighting men. They offer their lives for us and our country We are asked onl yto lend our money to our government. Could we do less and remani true to ourselves, our country and our flag?
Putnam patriot., 1918-04-12
Telephone and Telegraph

telephone instrument was soon installed and also a telegraph instru- ute as the officials, were early on the scene Among the first to arrive was c. N. Woodward, general superin- tendent. He watched the work with interest, but there was an expression of sadness and seriousness on hn face.
Putnam patriot., 1918-04-12
COMMON COUNCIL RATIFIES
 ELECTION OF HOSE NO. 2
VOTE BY ROLL CALL STOOD 4 TO FOR PHILIAS CLOU- TIER, FOREMAN, EUGENE BERTHIUME FIRST
 ASSISTANT, AND MERLE FISH, SECRETARY
Special Meeting Held Monday Night Dispose of Matter

man Lapalme said it was worse than a rum shop at one time. He said, we are not trying to run the council but we want to have men there that are an honor to the city"
 Mayor Marcy said that if those things have been going on charges should have been brought and if prov en the man should have been expelled from the department.
 Alderman Lapalme said there would be no more liquor in No. ? for a while.
 The mayor said that the mere fact that Mr Cloutier is in the liquor busi- ness should not be used against him.
 Alderman Padgett again asked the opinion ef the fire committee in the matter.
 Alderman Johnson replied that there seemed to be two men with diff ferent opinions. They said that two different men brought liquor there. The men of the company had an op- portunity to vote. All present voted and with the exception of one, voted for Cloutier. He said he did not see how he could recommend turning down that election although he said he had no feeling in the matter
 Chief Boursier told of some things that happened several years ago while Cloutier was foreman of No ? com pany.
 When 1t was again stated that beer had been brought to the hose house, Alderman Mullan asked if it wasn't ordered by the company.
 Alderman Beausoleil said that it probably was, as it wouldn't be giv- en away.
 Alderman Padgett suggested that MT. Cloutier's capabilities as fire man had not been questioned.
 Alderman Beausoleil said, '.If you will bring out Mir. Cloutier and have him show how to make coupling I'll vote for him."
 Alderman Padgett said that charg- es had been brought against the chief, but that didn't prevent him being good fireman.
 For one of those charges l think the mayor was more to blame than the chief" said Alderman Beauso- leil
 Mayor Marcy said that it was not the duty of the mayor to look after things connected with the depart ment. He said he had noticed things and kept watch to see what was done.
 Alderman Beausoleil said to the mayor that he thought the mayor 5urht to have told the fire chief about he broken chain.
 If told him all I saw it would have burned out the wires, said the mayor.
 Alderman Padgett said he had got te nabout all the information that he apparently could, and was ready for the question.
 The vote was then taken, and the election of Hose No 1, held in March, was confirmed.
Putnam patriot., 1918-04-12

Four trainmen and one member of a wrecking crew dead, three trainmen it ured, and q large amount of prop. erty destroyed, is the result of rear end collision at Sugar Loaf" cut, about quarter of d mile east of Pomfret station at $50 o'clock Wed nesday morning, when double header freight AB4 crashed into eXtla freight 3200, drawn by single en- zine as 1t was with difficulty making the up grade on curve.
Putnam patriot., 1918-04-12
Engines and Cars Pile Up

With a loud report, the snapping of iron and the tearing and splinter ing of wood, the double header ploughed into the train ahead. The heavy train behind threw it's weight against the mass and engine 330 shot into the air, turned completely around and fell beside it's sister engine .2f, which went over on it's side on the right hand banking and lay still. A peculiar feature was that the tender of 330 somehow got way over on the opposite side of engine 327.