davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1918-12-25
WATCH NIGHT SERVICES
 BEGIN METHODIST PROGRAMME

The most intensive evsneelistic cam
 paign ever waged by a Protestant de-
 nomination will begin in me Meth
 odist Episcopal church thfotighout the
 world with Watch Night services New
 Years eve ir every Methodist church
 and continue until Easter. In New
 England 9G8 Methodist churches will
 take Dart.
 The Watch Night service programme
 provides a community sing. series of talks by Methodist Minute Men, a so-
 cial hour an experience hour and sac
 ranent of the Lords Supper. Cottage prayer services are planned to take the place of the regular prayer meet ings for that week. The. subsequent week, January 5 to 12. will be obserw- ed Z a weel- of prayer Or Mobi1iza- tioh week, January 5 to be observed 1 as Service day, when service flag exer- cises will be 1eld in all churches. Spe- eial prayer and discussion topics dur 1 ing the remainder of the week will be women's otaanizations unit leaders the community, the work Of the off l cial board, young people, and CT the ! last day. special efforts to get un-
 churched people interested in the ser. | vices. From then up to Easter the 1 campaign will De continued and ef | forts made t3 stimulate the greater in. | terest in the Centenary.
Norwich bulletin., 1918-12-25
CHURCH TRUST FUNDS TRANSFERRED


 Trust funds aggregating $6s;a96 which have been administered by the Second Congregational church and so- ciety will now be turned over to the United Congregational church, accord ing to a. Judgment and order eiven in the superior court hers /on Tuesday afternoon by Judge W. 7I. Maltbie. This provides fer the continued ad- nlinistration of these trust funds in accordance wik;1 the original intent, officers of the United Ciureh taking the place of those of tho Second church who had been trustees and admins traitors of the funds.
 Attorney Edwin w. Higgins present ed these matters before Judge Malt tie. The first was in the case entitled Jcsepn D. Haviiand. Dwight '. $ lien Frank 4. Bill vS Secontl Conyrega- tional society and others. This con- eerned the funds which had been ir the care of the deac5ns of inc Second church, of whom the plaintiffs named were three. The deacons of the United Church wers made trustees Of the funds by the court order. These funds totalled $27.000 and were the follow. ing:
 Sarah Tathrop fund, s5to and SILT; accumulated interest, which is to be expended for the benefit of the paoi females of the church.
 Annie F. Breed fund. $20,6o0, and ac. eumutated income of $1 ,z3s.9S to bt expended for the aid and assistance ol poor deserving widows.
 Joseph Otis fund, $2,o60 and atcu- Tiulated income of $55S.76. to be ex- pended for the sick and inffrm poor members of the church.
Norwich bulletin., 1918-12-25
JOHN
Fought in Argonne. Region.

Private James J. Thomson gives the story of some battle experiences in the Argonne region he has had in 2, Fathers Day letter which he wrote to his father, James Thompson of 92 Eoath street. as follows:
 Nov. 24, 191S
 Dear Dad: This being a day set for writing you a Christmas letter I take the greatest of pleasure in writing you few lines to let you know what your son has done or rather helped to do. know it will cheer you up when you read it.
 suppose you have read about the big drive that took place over here Sept. 2. Our battery took part in it and, believe me, it sure was some Griye, too. We put up an awful bar rage and drove the Boche a great ways back besides capturing a gfsaat many prisoners. Well, after driving them out of our range here we started l Dutch didn't give some smelling. They l shelled us all along. the main road. We worked hard all night long under 1 shell fire and gas but early in the | morning when we got set up and ! ready to fire we just gave them triple ] their dose. We drove them out of our range here and went into position l further north on what they called the 1 Forest of Argonne. This was the drive l that finished the war, believe me It i was some place. We named it Mud l Valley. Gee. the mud was up to our knees. After finishing up here we started to follow up the Dutchman's | retreat until we heard the war was ever with on Nov. II at II a. m guess we weren't glad to hear it. I sure is a tough game. Our battery
 has been very lucky. Hagan,t lost 2 man in our five months of strenuous
 are all back with us again, just a! I good as ever. I have had some nar- row escapes, but none of those big G. I. cans that came over happened to have my name on them I though
 that I was dead one one night whel we were hauling our guns through
 town called Celery Le Pit and twt large stone buildings fell over on us Six men got hurt but they did not be long to our outfit They were sleep ing in the buildings.
 Well, we are at rest now in vii lage called Q. U. Louppy. There ism
 any business going on here tl1oug we are in quite a nice house and if [ , l fitted up with real beds and we ca l take a bath every daS. It's quite 7 change from sleeping out in the rai1 Gee, feel just like a two-year-oI : now. This will be all for new. Vi meet you in America soon.
 Love to Mother and you all, 3 Your son,
Norwich bulletin., 1918-12-25

The Deaeons' fund. $5,e09 and no accumulated income, for the further
 ance of religious? work in Norwich The pastoral library building. con- sisfing of the right to the use forever of the second story of the so- called Otis library building for the use Of a pastoral library.
 In the case of the other funds, which totalled $41,589 and of which the See end Conare regational church had been trustee, the United Church was made Thomas fund of which the home mis- sSonsry s6ciety of the United Church was made trustee.
 John H. Sherman Robert H. Mont | gofnery and John H. Trankla had been 1 the society committee of the Second | church in charge of t1le trust funds l These included the following: Mary B. Colt fund, $5,9e0 and nc accumulated income. to be used to- | wards current expenses. Samuel C. Morgan fund, $34.00o and accumulated income of $4,995.27, fol l the relief Of poor members of the Sec ! or1d church and society. ! William Williams fund, $1000 an6 1 $21S.e0 accumulated income, for the relief of poor members of the church Mary A. Pe11ett fund. s2o0 and nt i accumulated income, for general liSe: 1 of the church.
 1 Jane G. Thomas fund, S1 GOO ant I $3S.1S accumulated income, to be use6 1 by the Ladies Home Missionary So ciety to make up boxes to be sent tt 1 home missionaries.
 | Harriet A. Kelly fund, $30o and nt ] accumulated income, no limit as tt
 use.
Norwich bulletin., 1918-12-25
STATE CORN SHOW IS
 COMING IN HARTFORD

L. H. Healey, secretary of the state board of agriculture, is sending out premium list to the corn and potato growers of Connecticut calling their attention to the fact that the state corn show will be held at the state arr1ory in Hartford in connection with Farmers week, which begins Jan. 20, 1919.
 There are five general classes that include flint, dent, early and late sweet corn and popcorn, in each of which class an exhibit of ten ears is required for entry. In these five classes there is a total of eleven sub divisions, in cluding early corn and last corn, vel low corn and white corn, ears nine inches or less, and ears that are longer and so on through the list of all the sizes and colorS. In each of these eleven divisions there is a first, second and third prize of s5, 8 and s2, re- spectively. In addition to the premium | list, Mir. Healey is ready with entry cards and instructions regarding al | the details of the show, when and how 1 to ship the exhibit, the time to make l ones selection and other helpful sug- 1 gestions for those who hope to win
 It was further explained that in ad.
 dition to the regular classes there would be contest among the winner.
 in the eight county corn shows. Col. William H. Hall of Wilmington | in cooperation with the Connection State Fair association, is offering first, second, third and fourth prize 0
 $50, sS0, s25 and $2e, respectively, fo the best half bushel of potatoes an,
 similar prizes for the best ten-ear ex
 hibit of field corn. Both these special
 will be- awarded in connection with tn
 state corn show that is being held a
 the. supervision of the state board 6
 agriculture.
Norwich bulletin., 1918-12-25
SOLDIERS AND SAIL LORs
Workina in EfosnitaI.

John Peehie of. Attawaugan, Conn, received the following letter dated Nov. A. from his son. John Pechie of the Quarterma ster corps in France:
 Dear Pa and Family: I write to you with great pleasure to let you know that I am feeling fine and l hope you are all enjoying the best of health.
 Well, this is going to be big week in. the states for you have so much to be thankful for, this great world war being over and your son still alive, although thousands of miles away, and 1 hope you will enjoy yourselves on Thanksgiving day. It will be like any other day to us-work and that iS a1l. Well, l hope you will spend a merry Christmas and have, a happy New Year and also hoping that next year will bring us better luck than it 'has m the past few years. I would like to be with you for the holidays, but it is impossible, but for the holi- days following I may be in the states. must tell you that where I am sta toned is one of the largest U. s. hos pitals in France and we are only a short ways from a seaport which is St. NaZaire. If you look on a French map you will see where I am stationed. When l first came and saw the wound l am so used to it that 1t makes no difference to me I see them and pay nc attention to it. I go through the wards quite often to see if there is any one that I Know but very seldom lately that I see any. | wish I could l send you all a Christmas present but it costs a lot to have washing and l everything else done, put never mind think of you all very often.
 The patients are going home very i fast. I received the papers and was delighted for there were so many things to surprise me in them. Well I suppose Christmas is dull in the states this year but wait until rex year. Oh. my! We had a general tC l visit us yesterday. Believe me, w lave to snap into it when they come for they would bawl Us out in min ute.
 I had some pie today and mashed Ietatoes, the first pie ] have had il France. They certainly do feed u grand over here just now. We'll,
 guess I will close with love to all an, merry Christmas and happy Nev Year.
 This is Dads Letter Day in France Your son.
 JOHN.
Norwich bulletin., 1918-12-25
TELLS HOW NORWICH
 ROY LOST HIS LEE

Harry White, a shipmate en the U. s. s. Seneca of the late James Joseph NevinS, who was drowned when 8 part of the crew of the Seneca at tempted to bring into port the torpe- doed steamer Wellington, has just written to Mrs. Elizabeth Nevins of 10 Sixth street a description of the way her brave son lost his life.
 As the censorship is no longer in force, he says he can give an account of the loss of Seaman Nevins. He writes as follows:
 It was about 11.40 on the morning of Sept. 18th that the Wellington was rarpedoed. Almost immediately the sub rose to the surface and think that the explosion of the torpedo had damaged her, as she went down in few seconds. It did not take us long to get to the spot and drop depth charges, which I think sank the sub. We then turned our attention to the Wellington and found that the torpedo had struck her in the bow and she was not sinking, although her crew had abandoned her and refused to go 1 back. Some time later about fifteen of her crew volunteered to return and try ! to take her in to the nearest port. 1 There was not enough of them, so our | | crew. Everybody wanted to go, but 1 those nearest the boat jumped in and the boat showed off. During action 1 am in the top of the foremast, spot 1 ting for the forward guns, so I was [ completely out of it, and didn't even know that they had called for vo1un- f teerS until I saw the boat showing off The last I saw of Jim he turned and waved his hand. We left them after having wirelessed for a destroyer to convoy the Wellington in, as we had l a number of other ships to take care Of
 It was 4.So the following morning when the Wellington sunk. All the civilian crew were able to get into the one boat and our fellows waited til the last and then leaped overboart with lifebelts on. One of the sur. vivofS (they are all on board now was with Jim when he went down. H. says it was about 6.30 a. m. and Jin and he and three others were hanging on to a log. One by one they became tired and let go, with the exception 0 this one fellow, who was picked III by the destroyer one hour and a hal later.
 T I certainly do wish I was able t attend the mass for Jim, but at leas can do the next best thing-haYe on , said for him over here ,as I am Cath olic, tod.
 Thank you for the picture. I an having it enlarged and will send yo one as soon as possible. Jim had no changed much except to grow a little 1 certainly will come to see you jus as soon as I get back to the states, a , would like very much to meet you.
 We'll I'll close now, with best wishe for luck, health and happiness.
 Very sincerely yours,
 HARRY WHITE.
 U. S. s. Seneca, C. e., Europea.
 Waters; Base No. 2, care P. NJ, Ne7
 York.
 P. S.-Write soon. please.
Norwich bulletin., 1918-12-25
Away With False Pride

Thousands of women would have quit
 buying butter long agoAf there had
 been another and better substitute
 than the old type Oleomargarine.T There
 is now@Benefft Brand Sweet Nut. ''
 This delicious product does not contain a particle Sf Ofeo or any, animal fat
 whatever, although an old law require $
 the word Oleomargarine to be place q on fhe package. It is made sally from the nutritious parts of tho cream ' white meat of ripe cocoanuts. churaed with Dasteurized milk; it tastes. and has the same nutritive qualities as the finest creamery butter. When served nobody can%teH the difference betweef the two. But there's a big difference in price-Beneht Brand Sweet Nut" i! only 33e a fb.; avera ging from 1sc tt 25e a ID. cheaper tha--- butter. Coco alike for eating and cooking. Don let names guide your butter buying that's only false pride, You can bu. Benefit Brand Sweet Nut only at tn | Direct Importing Co.'S store with tn yellow front 157 Main .Sh, Norwich | where Benefit Brand Teas. Coffees an | Grocery Specia1tfes are retailed "a wholesale prices. Look for our stor ! in~your town.
Norwich bulletin., 1918-12-25
HIGH TRIBUTE TO GENERAL
 PERSHENG AND HIS MEN

Washington, Dec. 24.-High tribute to the work of General Pershing and the officers and men who served under him was paid by General Tasker H. Bliss in conferring upon the Ameri- can commander the distinguished ser- vice medal at the direction of Presi- dent Wilson The full address of General Bliss was received and made public by the war department today The medal was conferred on General Pershing at the headquarters of the Aemrican expeditionary force at Chau- mont, France, Nov. 16.
 After detailing the work done by General Pershing in creating and training on French soil an American army of more than two million men, with the agencies for it's transporta- tion and supply, General Bliss said:
 With your aid our ancient ally has regained her former boundaries. And you and your army have played a 1 glorious part in world event trans cending in it's momentous importance ] any other since Charles Martel beat l back the flood of Moslen invasion on l the plains of Tours. You, like him, I have done that which came to you in i crushing an evil. an aborted civiliza- tion. and in preserving Q nobler enc. | And in doing this you have won
 
 not only the admiration of your Euro pean associates in arms but the ad- rliration and love of your countrymen And you have done it all with the ! thorough devotion of the American army. it's officers and men, and of, al who helped to make that army and tC get it here.
 "All that have said brings me tc this. u is not for me to speak O
 history to the men who have madt
 it. But it is for me and for all of u!
 to speak Of that loyal and affection
 ate devotion from the men in th'
 trenches to the men on the western
 docks of France, from the men in tn
 shipbuilding yards and mines ant logging camps, from the Atlantic t the Pacific, from the men, women ant children in every factory and work
 shop at home, whose devotion to tn great cause and whose personal devo
 ton to you has stayed up your hands that they faint not, from the rising | the going down of the sun.
 But it is not of these alone that would speak, when I speak of the de votion that has carried you and you army to such triumphant success ! think with sadness and pride of thes who have paid the last full measure c
Norwich bulletin., 1918-12-25
NORWICH TOWN

The death of Samuel Austin. 32, oc- cured at his home in Mansfield De- pot Monday at noon after. q brief ill., ness with influenza which developed irto pneumonia. For number Of years he was employed at 1he power plant of the Norwich State Hospital. About five years ago he moved to Mansfield Depot, where he was. engi- neer at the State Hosbita; Grd Train ing School. MT. Austin ysas born in Ledyard, the son of the late Agnes Ciivia Wheeler and Stephen J. Austin. In early life he joined the First Bap- tist church of Norwich. On Feb. 27. 1908, he was united in marriage with Miss Vivian Nichols at St. Andrew Episcopal church. by Rev. F. Johns Bbhanan.
 He is survived by his wife. Mrs Austin, also three brothers, Stephen J. and Joseph D. of Mystic, William T. Austin of Fort Point: ais twin sister, Mrs. Susan A. 1illibridge ot Norwich Town and another sister Mrs. Lillian B. Wainwright of Stone ham, Mass.
 Mir. Austin was a young man ot | pleasing personality who made many l friends by whom his early death vii l be sincerely mourned
Norwich bulletin., 1918-12-25
RED CROSS CHRISTMAS :
 ROLL CALL NOW fseo0a0o

Washington, Dec 24.-Reports rs- ceived at American Red Cross head, quarters today from all parts of the country show an enrolment of ap- proximate1y 16,ooO,oOO in the Christ mas ron call, with 40 per cent. of tie chapters, including number of large cities, yet to report Final returns, which are not expected for a week CT ten days, in the opinion of Red Cross officials, will bring the 1919 member- ship well beyond the sixteen million total.
 Continued bad weather and influenza were reporetd in various parts of the country as hampering Red Cross workers in completing the roll call canvass which had been extended u1- til tonight by many chapters. Results by divisions as reported to-
 Atlantic (New York, New. Jersey and Connecticut), 3,03S 800; New .Ens ! land (Maine. New Hampshire. VeE- mont, Massachusetts and Rhode Isl anO, 1,4e5,40o. Pennsylvania Delaware division, F. 1 oGO GOO.
Norwich bulletin., 1918-12-25
Writes From Luxemzsra Cafe.


 Private William l. Drake Of this city writes to his mother here that he is now in the American Army of Occupa- ton and was on his way to Germany on Thanksgiving day. His letter fol- lows:
 Ttsnksgtvin~ Day. 1918.
 Dear Mother: It being a holiday gives me an opportunity to write you 8 few lines. We are allowed to tell a little more about OUT wherea bouts now than we have been in the past. After staying three days at Brest, where we landed, we were put aboard a train and sent to an artillery re- placement camp at La Coneau, where sent my first letter from This l place is about forty miles south of l Bordeaux, a trip of about two days and nights from Brest. We stayed there just long enough to be sorted | out and sent 10 osonie permanent org anization either at the front or in reserve. It was my good fortune to l be assigned to one that vas right up | behind the front lines, so this gave me a chance to get into battle. | started as extra man in 2 gun squad On the morning Of November 1st, and I was sure kept on the SD from then on. Shortly after the arnistice was signed was transferred to the outfit that I am now with. at that time we were atbout four or five miles from Se- l dan. I am now out of France, hav- ing passed through Belgium on my way to Germany with the Army of Oc- 1 eupa,tion. I can just picture the urhnla na1zsEat sittinE at iha tahle tf
Norwich bulletin., 1918-12-25
CHRISTMAS TREE FOR
 ROCK NOOK CHILDREN

The S4 children in the Rock Nook home family had Christmas come to
 them on Tuesday afterneoh, when they were. given delightful Christmas party with a lovely tree and gifts for all. The little ones ranged in age from weeks to 12 years and for each
 there was an appropriate gift on the tree.
 During the afternoon the children
 gave a program of songs and recita tions. Before they went to bed on
 Tuesday night the children hung up
 their stockings which, without doubt will bear proof of visit from Santa 1 Claus during the night when the chil- | dren jump out of bed this morning.
Norwich bulletin., 1918-12-25
POST OFFICE HOURS
 FOR CHRISTMAS DAY

The post office will be open from [ a. m. to 12 m. The money order. pos tai savings and carrier window will be closed all day One full delivery will he made by city carriers at 7.4s d. m. whicn will include a collection from the street letter boxes. A col lection from the same boxes as col lectea on Sundays will be made at 4 p. in. Outging mails will close as usual, the lass mail for New York and Bostoa closing at 9.15 .. m.
 At tho Greeneyille, Norwich Tow1 and Preston stations the hours will bt the same as at the main office.
 At stations 1, ?, 3. 4, ', s, and nc money order business will be trans acted.
 Rural carriers will make their usua trips.
Norwich bulletin., 1918-12-25
TAETVILLE

Albert Portelance of Virchia, for ner druggist of the Taftville Phar- macy, was visitor in the village on Tuesday.
 Conrad Pepin Of Newport is snend- ing 2 few days at his home in the vil- laSe.
 The Christmas hours at the local postoffice viii Dc as follows: 7-S-15 a. m.. 11-1215 p. m. and 7-S p. m.
 George Raymond of L.. $. navy is spending a few. days furlough at his homo in tho village.
 Henry Hhefer is spending a few days in the village. Taftvillc Church Christmas Pro.
 grarn1e.
 The Christmas programme at the Sacred Heart church, Taf.ville, will be ds follows:
 O'Clock a. m. Mass The plain chant choir will sing, as- sisted by a rfa1e dltartAtte. Preludc-Christmas Song, ,Kinan Kyrie Dumont Gl6ria Dumont Credo Dumont Offertory-Adeste Fidelis Sanctus Dumont Aruus Dei Dumont
 Hugh Kinder, organist. 0mer Tel Her, Jr., dir. ctor.
 10 30 a. m. Mass The mixed choir will sing. Kyrie Tarier Gloria Merliel Credo Merliel Offertory-Adeste Fidelis Sanctus Larier Agnus Dei IArier Postlude Johrsor
 Hugh Kinder director.
Norwich bulletin., 1918-12-25

 their devotion, and of weeping. Ame4- Ican wives and mothers and mourning children. I have no doubt that many and many a gallant American soldfer has, in his last breath, coupled with other names dear to him. your name as the custodian and guardian of AmeTi- can honor and glory-honor and glosy so dear to him that for them he gaFe his life. Just as it is our president who hands to you this medal, so I seem 10 see from these thousands of glorious graves pale hands reaching out to you and your comrades the lanel wreath of victory which they did so much ae win.
 And I know that I speak for OUT 1 president when [ say that as to them | the good God has given eternal rest. so may He, through their heroic deeds, give to us eternal peace.s
Norwich bulletin., 1918-12-25

make that turkey look sick and just Bng to be ttere, but there are thous-- ands of others in the same boat, so might as well smile and be happy and consider. myself lucky to be living and have my good health.
 If the coming year passes as quickly as the last one has it will not seem long before we can see each other again. Write and let me know how everybody is. I know you have writ ten to me but have been transferred so much, I have not received 8 bit of mail since leaving the states but hcope now to stay with this outfit until l get back home.
 P. S.: wrote this in cafe in Luxemberg, cafe by name only.
 With love to all,
 PVT. WILLIAM I. DRAKE,
 Headquarters Co., F F. A,
 American D. F.