Norwich bulletin., 1919-07-22
w ES RLY

I Joseph Donovan. born in New York 1 doorway sunday night by Police Ser i geant Ferguson and taken to the po- 1 lice station. He is Civil war veteran, an inmate of the National Soldiers 1 furlough from that institution He left l Gardner, Me- July S. and started to i walk to New York city to see a sen l ator from that state and interest him i in the presentation of special act to 1 clear his military record and get the benefit of pension. When he reached any farther He told the police that l he wanted to bey sent to a hospital for repairs and in a. couple of weeks he would be able to proceed on his way. Chief Brown informed him that he was without authority to send him to any hospital. The old soldier was willing to be sent to the state farm or state almshouse for short period, person without visible means of sup port, to attain that purpose
 Donovan when before Clerk Car. Lar. court on that charge was not put to plea. He told the court he was an tn- mate of the National Soldiers home in Maine. He produced his furlough and also a certificate that would secure for him reduced railroad fare. The governors at the home could not ad- vance him any money as he was a
 
 purchase his railroad ticket even at the reduced rate and he started on his long hike for New York lie nrst
 served in the; Civil war in regiment in that state and was of the belief
 he could by personal interview get
 New York senator to get him on the
 pension list.
 The reason why he did not get this
 benefit was .ons account of having
 against his record the charge of de
 sertion. although he had been twice
 wounded and showed a bullet wound
 in his head and bayonet stab in his abdomen He *said after being with
 the New York regiment for two years
 he became lost from his command He went to hospital in Philadelphla ana after being discharged from that in stitution enlisted in a Philadelph1a
 regim ent, served two years and was honorably discharged. This discharge admitted him to the Soldiers home. There his comrades kept twitting him a s being a bounty jumper as soon as it became known that he was non pensioner. It was to remove this stain record that he applied for furiough and started on the tramp to New York
 He, said he had a hard time travel ing since heSle Bangor and would be glad to get back to the home and would from there try. to receive by communication the benefits he had hoped to get by personal Intesefew. sfe u Ellery. Barber. overseer of the poor of the town of Westerly. and he paid Donovan's fare, back to Bangor. With the reduction allowed to soldiers the amount paid for the fare was only 1885. Donovan besides serving with the volunteers served in the regulars and has a military service of II years The travel to Watch Hill has dimin, ished since the trolley cars ceased running, the residents along the line and at the resort making trips only when absolutely necessary. and the pleasure seekers being averse to rid pecially since the collapse of two of these passenger carrying vehicles Therefore the emergency mode Of transportation is not very profitable tempt to establish regular motor bus line to and from Stonlngton IS also a disa ppeintment to the promot- ers due to the lack of patronage The when there is resumption there is no doubt of appreciation of the service and more liberal patronage Will probably results The trolley strike mas to the taxicab Service. as there are less transient. persons in town than when the trolley cars were operated
 The business Of the town is being seriously affected and merchants de- clare it is about time the Westerly Board of Trade and town council be- came active in effort to get the service restored It is understood that unless relief comes to the company, the Norwich Westerly and Ashaway di- visions will be abandoned. also the line to Atlantic Beach and Weekapaug. as these are non-paying sections or the Shore Line system.
 A chicken thief has basged nine of Charles B. WiIkinson's bullets in North Stonington. Mir. Wilkinson saw the tief, hurriedly dressed himself and armed with shotgun started in pursuit. was dropped. One of the bullets had been shot by the owner and it is be- lieved a shot OF two struck the thief. ; This all took plase near 1 o'clock Mon day morning This may be the same chap who purfofned 20 hens from the coop of William tTallion in Greenman avenue.
 Rhode Islands welcome to Eamonn de Valera. president of the Irish re- Providence and Westerly. Friends of Irish Freedom have been so notified. He will be received by the governor, the mayor, and 8 committee of 100 prominent citizens. Irishmen by birth or extraction,sa Governor Eeeckman will receive the Sim Fein leader a [ the. state capitol. The governors pri- the disposal of the distinguished wis itor and he will be entertained over night at the governors home in New port Mayor Fainer will welcome the Irish president and accompany him to a shore resort, where the visitor will make an address.
 The committee officers will escort will be met at the Providence station Tx tf- Third regiment. Irish Volun-