davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Putnam patriot., 1920-09-03
HEARS FIVE DIVORCE CASES
Four Granted, One Continued For
More Evidence

Four uncontested divorce eases out
of fifteen, were heard at the short
calendar session of the superior court
in Putnam this Friday morning, Judge
William NJ. Maltbie presiding. -Four
were Putnam cases.
Robert Harris of Woodstock was
granted decree on the ground of de-
sertion. He married Beulah Jodoin
of Putnam, November both, 1916, and
she left him March II, 1917, after he
had rfused to move from Woodstock
to Putnam. She went to live with
her parents and he called on her four
weeks trying to have her return but
she refused unless he would remove
to Putnam.
The wife had him arrested for non
support and he was acquitted. At
that time an effort was made to have
her return, but she still refused.
Glen J. Dow was granted a decree
from his wife, Agnes B. Dow. He
said that they were married August
Ill. ol anu tiidl Si}t utScIlcu lltHi
March 3. 1917. She complained of
his working nights as car inspector
in Putnam and was tired of living
with him anyway He told her he
would keep the house open for 20
days. He kept it open for AZ days
but she did not return. He served
with the railway engineers in France
for nearly three years and received
one letter from her.
Georgianna Plauff of Putnam was
granted decree for desertion and
given the custody of three minor
children. She said she was married
in 1897 and that her husband left her
in 1909.
In the case of Carrie Proctor of
Putnam VS.. William H. Proctor. the
case was continued for more evil
dence.
Mrs. Proctor said that she was mar
ried in Hartford July /. 1899, and
that her husband drank and abused
her all the time. Two years ago Thurs
day she left him to come to Putnam
to take care of Mrs. Gardner, South
Main street, and has since lived here.
She said her husband struck her and
abused her and used vile language. He
had not supported her for ten years.
though well able to do so.
Mrs. Hazel Macbarish. niece of the
petitioner, corroborated her testi-
mony. The judge suggested that
counsel bring in more testimony re-
garding the allegations.
Margaret Murphy of Killingly Cen
ter was granted decree from Albert
F. Murphy for desertion. Three years
or more ago she had her husband ar
rested for abusing her and she has not
seen him since
Putnam patriot., 1920-09-03
PUTNAM RESIDENTS
STUMBLING BLOCK
Webster Business Men Think
Interests In This City Don't
Want Through Trolleys
Little Hope of Establishing Through
Service to Massachusetts Town

According to Secretary Nado of the
Webster-Dudley Chamber of Com
meree, who has been making an effort
to have trolley connections with the
Grosvenordales re-established, there
is little prospect of accomplishing this
much desired transportation need of
Webster in the near future. Secre-
tary Nado further states that the
weight of opinion among the business
men of Webster is that the stumbling
block is furnished by residents of Put
nam. who, it is alleged, do not want a
re-establishment of the trolley SER
vice that side of Putnam and the Gros-
venordales.
C. V. Wood of the Consolidated,
the Massachusetts trolley company
states that six different contracts have
been submitted to the Connecticut
Company for acceptance. The ma
terial used in the drafting of these
contracts was obtained from sugges-
tions offered by the Massachusetts,
Public Utilities Commission and the
Interstate Commerce Commission at
Washington. The Connecticut Com
pany received all of these offers. ac-
cording to Mr.. Wood, and so far has
taken no decisive action on any of
them.
Mr.. Wood emphasized, in his com
munication to Secretary Nado, that il
establishment is reached it would
be accomplished after the Gonnecti-
cut Company's officials had displayed
serious intention of wanting re-
establishment.
President Wood states that his COM
pany is willing to do anything in its
power to put the line across but
that now most of the putting" must
be done by the Connecticut officials.
Ever since the trolley lines were
put out of commission by the big
storm of nearly a year ago the only
communication, besides the steam
cars, has been the bus service from
Webster to the Grosvenordales, and
Webster merchants and manufactur-
ers think that this gives Putnam an
advantage in bidding for trade in the
mill village.
For years Putnam thought that it
was getting the worst end of the deal
by poor trolley connections at West
Thompson. which was driving the
trade from the Grosvenordales to
Webster. Now the situation seems to
be reversed.
Putnam patriot., 1920-09-03
SEASON END EVENTS
AT COUNTRY CLUB

Sept. 6, Labor Day, $50 a. m.-
Selected teams, Is hole contest, medal
play. Team captains, f. c. Morse and
c. e. Dear. Losing team provides
dinner for winning team and lady
members of club. Others desiring
dinner tickets may obtain same from
tournament committee not later than
Sept. 2.
$50 D. n-Prize golf for ladies
and eentlemen. followed by clock golf.
Sept. 9, 9 T. m.-Three-hole handi-
cap confess for ladies. Holes to be
played are No !, No. A, No. g. Gross
and net prizes.
Sept. t6, p. m.-one club con-
test. club to be at option of player.
Medal play. holes. Entrance fee,
25c. Auction fridge for the ladies'
Sept. %, 8 p m.--Two-ball, mixed
fourseme. Entrance fee, zoe
Sept. 80 and Oct. Fall open
tournament. Substantial gross and
net prizes. Entrance fee, sl.oo- Auc-
ton bridge.
Oct. 20 and 80, 2 p m.-Govern-
ors' Cup. Is holes medal play.
Nov. rs, $50 .m.-Kiekers' hand
ieap contest. Is holes medal play.
Entrance fee, soc.
Putnam patriot., 1920-09-03
LIGHTNING CAUSES
$50 1000 FIRE DAMAGE
Bowditch Dye Works, East Put
nam, Totally Destroyed
Sunday Evening
Plant Was Idle and Little Stock Wss
bodybuilding Insured

During "A thunder shower between
3 and 8 o'clock Sunday evening bolt
Of lightning struck high power cleo
trio wire. entered the plant Of tn,
Bowditch Dye Works, East Putnam
set the building on fire, and 1t was
totally consumed, causing a loss OF
about fifty thousand dollars, covered
by insurance.
The concern is owned and man.
aged by l.. A. Lockwood Of Provi-
dance, and the business was dying raw
cotton and wool. The plant had been
idle for the past two weeks and there
was scarcely any stock in the build.
ing
The fire was discovered by Mrs. X.
Chapman. who was sitting in her home
near by watching the storm. She saw
the lightning enter the mill on the
wire and then saw the building break
into blaze. A telephone call was
sent to Putnam and truck No. with
several men responded, Assistant En-.
gineer 4. l.. Kelly pulling in the sig
nal for fire out of the city limits
The five mile run was made in record
time but when the department arrived
the building was beyond saving.
From brook close TO the factory
the hose was laid and attention was
given to saving nearby buildings, in
GLIDING stock houses from which the
stock was removed under the super
vision Of Wilfred Babbitt, engineer OF
the plant, who was early on the scene.
The building destroyed was a three
story wooden structure 50x75 feet
and was in good condition. When
running the works employed ten men.
Putnam patriot., 1920-09-03

er became its wee president. He wa
a prominent member of the Swedish
Lutheran church Of North Grosvenor
In Z and for time was one of il,
trustees. lie was prominent mem
trustees. He was also a member OF
j Co. nerst sae Lodge of Masons OF
+ Moth GtlDsvenordale and Of Israe
Putnam Lodge of Odd Fellows OF
Pulaam.
Iir. Johnson was born in Sweden
March 10th. 1868. He was "a years
old when he decided To seek his for.
tn, in America, and with brother
+ Alhin, who died ten years ago, he set
sail for this country. With the ex-
ception Of two years spent in shoe
she and cotton mill, he has resided
in North Grosvenordale, where he
built up IA prosperous grocery and
dry goods business. The rest of the
fan lily followed the brothers few
years later.
December e31, 1898. Mr., Johnson
married the daughter of Gustaf and
Maria Anderson. Two children we're
born to them. Evcline, aged 3 years,
and Walter, age q years, Who with
the wife. survive. Mr.. Johnson also
leaves a step-mother and two broth
ers, Oscar and Gustaf, both of North
Grosvenordale. Two other brothers
and sister have died and are buried
in North Grosvenordale.
Funeral Saturday from the Swed-
ish Lutheran church, North Grosven-
ordale, at 2 o'clock. standard time, or
3 o'clock, daylight saving time. The
service will be conducted by the pas
tor, Rev. C.. f. Lindeval, who will
speak in both Swedish and English.
The pail bearers will be NJ A. Covell
and Dyer S. Elliott. representing Cor
ner Stone Lodge Of Masons; William
p. Warren and Walter u. Torrey, Is
rael Putnam Lodge Of Odd Fellows
Otto Sward and Oscar l.. Johnson, the
Syea Society of North Grosvenordale.
Mr.. Johnson's illness first became
troublesome about Decoration Day.
He began to lose weight and energy.
Six weeks ago he went TO Boston and
entered the New England Deaconness-
es Hospital for observation. II was
found that his disease was incurable
and a week ago last Monday he was
brought home He had grown fright
fully emaciated and was carried from
the Thompson railroad station to his
home in the Day Kimball Hospital am
bulance. He was then so weak that
he could not raise hand. He met the
end heroically, with the same optimis-
tic spirit and fortitude that had
brought him many admirers during
his life time.
Putnam patriot., 1920-09-03
DOING BUSINESS
IN u. S. UNIFORMS
Three Men Who Visited Put
nam Held For lnvestig cation
Following Arrest
Selling Pamphlets Entitled "A. E. F.
Fun In France"

Monday evening an army drao au-
tomobile was driven into this city and
came to stop on Main street. Three
young men in uniform got out OF the
car. A crowd gathered. As soon as
it was learned that there was some
thing to sell. much of the crowd
melted away. A few remained to
buy a pamphlet entitled, "a. f. F.
Fun In France" This was also
printed on banners attached to the
sides of the car.
The trio did little work in the
business section Tuesday morning and
then left the city. The next learned
of the outfit in Putnam was when an
account of their arrest was read in
the newspapers.
The men were detained at Wilt
mantle and later taken to Hartford
for a hearing in the U. S. Court. They
claimed that they had right to wear
the uniform and that they were sell
ing the booklets, which are published
by The Ey-Service Mems Cooperative
League, 209 Canal street, New York.
Government orders set forth that the
uniform is not to be used for business
purposes. The men said they had
been apprehended before, but that
after investigation were allowed to
continue business.
Putnam patriot., 1920-09-03
BRADLEY MANSION
TO BE AUTO HOTEL
John Ceeson and James F.
Lucey Become Owners of
Part of Pomfret Estate
Lueey Will Conduct Hotel To Attract
Motorists To Pretty Spot

While plans are in an embryo state
and those directly concerned will say
little about it, it has become known
that the Bradley mansion in Pomfret
and about fifteen acres of land, part
of the estate of the late George l..
Bradley, has been bought and has
come under the control of John Gee
son and James F. Lucey of Putnam.
When asked Thursday morning if
he had bought the property, Mr.. Gee
son said he supposed he was interest
ed in it and that Mr.. Lucey was also.
He said it was too early to state just
what is to be done, and that Mr..
Lucey was out of the city. He did
say that Mr.. Lucey planned opening
the house at later date, probably by
spring. as an automobile hotel, that
is, a hotel catering to tourists passing
and repassing through this section.
Mr.. Lucey and family are spending
the summer at Alexander's Lake. The
family will remove to the Bradley
house Immediately and will spend the
winter there. Mr.. Lucey came to
Putnam some years ago and conduct
ed the Hotel Chiekering until it was
destroyed by fire. He is hotel man
of experience and came to Putnam
from Boston.
Putnam patriot., 1920-09-03
WILL ARREST SPEEDBOYS
TO STOP RACING TO FIRES
Mayor Directs Police Force To Enforce City
Ordinances = Traffic Must Stop
When Fire Alarm Rings
Is Signal For Race Down Main Street To Beat Fire
Department

The city's traffic rules fully cover
the situation. Section 16 gives the
fire apparatus right of way through
the streets in performance of duty.
Section II commands the drivers
of vehicles, -on the approach of fire
apparatus, to draw up near the right
hand curb and remain stationary un-
til the apparatus has passed.
Section % gives the police depart
ment entire control of traffic in the
streets of Putnam.
The practice which the mayor COM
mands the police to stop has become
general and has been noticed by all
citizens in the business section. The
moment an alarm has rung, self
starters, both muscular and gasolene,
spring into action, and, with chug
and a buzz they are off. From out
of cross streets whizzing tiivvers poke
their noses all bent to the fiery goal.
Regardless of where the fire appar-
atus might be. these excited speed
boys kept their vehicles noses pointed
up into the wind and with bodies over
the wheel made picture that would
rival that old classic" Coming home
from the fair, wherein every steed
was pictured as racing every other
steed on the highway toward home.
This small town stuff must be
stopped. and if it is not stopped volun-
tarily then the police viii take a
hand. The fire apparatus will have
the right of way from now on and II
it is disputed then the man who puts
up the argument will find himself
somewhere besides the scene of the
fire. and it will cost him few ducats
te Get out again.
Putnam patriot., 1920-09-03
LEGION OUTING
PLANS COMPLETE
Putnam and Danielson veesv-
ans to Gather Monday A.
Phillips Grove
AthietieAthletic Events, Speaking AaA
Clam Bake Make Attractive
Program

All Indications point to the fact
that the outing and clam bake to b.
held by the Legion posts Of Dsnielson
and Putnam at Philips Grove. on La
Dor Day will be one Of the most sue
cessfui events Of the kind that has
ever been arranged in this part Of the
country. With good card Of ath~
letic events assured. and speakers At
considerable reputation who viii talk
upon timely topics. a gala holiday
should be spent by the veterans Of ths
world war and their friends. The
public is invited to be present and en-
JOY the festivities with the ex-Serviee
men. Congressman Richard p. Free
man Of New London, representative
from this district, will be the speaker
Of the day, and will use as his topic
''The League Of Nations" Rev.
Charles =. Bedard Of Putnam will also
address the gathering.
A large attendance IL already -
sured, for reports from members %
Leo J. EHomme Post In Danielson in
dictate that more than $50 tickets have
been sold in that town. The tickets
are also selling well in Putnam. Tia
program starts at 10 o'clock Monday
morning. at which time the long dr.
lance race will begin. The runners
will be started from Union Square IN
Putnam, and will run to the grove by
the way Of the old fair grounds, the
Country Club and Whites Crossing.
The program for the remainder of
the day is AS follows:
III o'clock--1l0-yard dash for men,
prize, silver cup.
220-yard dash for men,
prize, silver cup
Running broad jump. prize.
silver cup.
12---Running broad jump,cp hrdm
12.30--Tug-of-war, open contest.
l.00-100-yard dash for ladies.
candy for the prize.
!. l.30-~Ladies' bali throwing con-
test, candy for the prize.
2.00---Chow call
3.00--Speaking.
Following the speaking there will
be baseball game between Putnam
and Danielson. All service men are
requested to bring gloves. The atk-
letic events are open to all ex-servies
men, regardless Of residence, and -
tries are coming in now from ou1nl1s
Of Putnam and Danielsoa. A w.
mantle runner has already stated -
win be . contsstant Il y nee -
latA 10 entsr yet. and entra.s sAeq11
b. made to Mark KItbavt.
Putnam patriot., 1920-09-03
Exhibition Hall on Fair Grounds Moved From
Foundations Trees Uprooted--Poles
Broken---Wires Down
Darkness of Midnight In Badly Frishe
ened, But No One Hurt

Reading. Pa. He grabbed the side *
the car and held on. He said that the
wind raised his body nearly at rigAe
angles with the car. This Is veuchse
for by several people who saw the
occurrence. The man was cxhausteo
when the tornado passed.
Asa Scranton, proprietor a the
blacksmith shop, says that preced5ng
the breaking of the storm It was -
dark as midnight. Then came the
wind. He felt his shop moving and
started out. A large tree fell n
front of him. Other trees nearby
we're falling and bursting into flame
from contact with live wires. He
turned back into the shop. " seemed
to him as if the tornado lasted -
least five minutes.
Mr. Dodge. the butcher, had just
left Arnold's Inn, and Mr.. Bosworth.
the mail carrier, had just left the
South Woodstock postofiice. The en-
CINE of the butchers car became
stalled at the junction of the roads at
the bridge. As he jumped from his
auto the large pine tfte IN the yard
of Mrs. Phillips residence crashed
down behind him and in front of Mr..
Besworth II was narrow escape
for both men. With the pine tree, fell
the large willow which has shaded the
bridge for over century. The rail-
ing Of the bridge was torn apart by its
weight.
The wind tore off part of the
roof of the postoilice building and
brooks oat all Of the window glass. At
Mrs. Sheppard's the children were
playing with the dog when the light
ming tore out the telephone and M
lures, broke window glass and tore
off the large limb of a tree.
Mrs. Loring, with the assistance Of
Rev. Douglas Pierce, had just finished
grading the front yard. The storm
tore this up. broke window pAn<s aR1
Continusd on Page Twslvs1
Putnam patriot., 1920-09-03

No more will the ringing of the FIRE
alarm signal be starter for automo-
bile races by the speed boys. The
edict has gone forth from the Office
of His Honor the Mayor, that racing
to fires in mad attempt to beat the
fire apparatus, and each other, has
got to stop. The official order to see
that it is stopped has reached the
hands of Captain John Bulger of the
police department, and he has read it
to his men at headquarters. The or
der is as follows:
Captain John Bulger. Police Depart
ment,
Putnam, Conn.
Dear Sir
Nv attention has been called TO the
reckless speeding of automobiles I'M
mediately after the sounding of the
fire alarm, in some cases trying to beat
the apparatus to the fire. As this Is
a most dangerous practice, often seri-
ously hindering prompt action of the
fire department. feel that it Is neces-
sary to order that Immediately upon
the sounding of AN alarm, any and all
police officers on duty are to use every
effort TO clear the way for the unre-
strieted use of the fire department APP
paratus and department officials, who
then have the right of way over all
other traffic. Speeding and reckless
driving of the public in general at
such times must be stopped, by arrest
if necessary.
Very respectfully.
A. W. MARCY, Mayor.
Putnam patriot., 1920-09-03

The village of South Woodstock
had its first experience with lorna
do. which swooped down upon the
place between 2 and 3 o'clock Tues
day afternoon, leaving thousands of
dollars worth of damage in its wake.
Trees were uprooted, the roofs Of
buildings ripped off, telephone and
electric light poles snapped Oft like
matches, small buildings carried away,
and the large exhibition hall on the
fair grounds removed from three to
| four feet from its foundation, neees-
stating the postponment of the fair.
! At the fair ground II was found
that the north end of the exhibition
hall had been lifted entirely from the
/ foundation and set to the eastward
several feet. The building is 1870
! feet long and 40 feet wide. The
heavy boards nailed to the front of
/ the grand stand to protect il during
the winter months were ripped off
and carried clear across the race
track enclosure. One large tree was
torn up by the roots and small build
ings suffered somewhat.
The center of the whirlwind was in
the vicinity Of Scranton's blacksmith
shop near the bridge over little
brook At this spot veteran trees
were pulled up. falling across the
roadway. The falling trees We're ae-
companied by telephone and electric
light poles which were snapped otf,
and the live wires set the trees on
fire. There was tangled mass that
completely blocked the roadway and
before the work of clearing up could
be begun the Putnam Light a Power
Company had to be requested to shut
off the current. The large telephone
cable came down and formed part of
the debris. This shut off telephone
communication in the Woodstoeks.
/ A man stopped in front of the
blacksmith shop and got out Of his
automobile just as the whirlwind ar
rived. He was Joseph Shetodiacis Of
Putnam patriot., 1920-09-03

Charles J. Johnson, 50. county seal
er of weights and measures, died at
his home in North Grosvenordale at
2.30 o'clock Thursday morning from
cancer of the stomach.
Mr.. Johnson was 4 highly cstee ned
citizen of North Grosvenordale. He
was beloved by all classes of citizens
and was leader. especially among
the Swedish population. His illness,
from which it was known there was
no hope for recovery, and his death,
have caused cloud of gloom to set
tie over the village where he has lived
for the past 26 years or more.
Mr.. Johnson was also well known
in Putnam and throughout Windham
county. His was cheerful DISPOSE
ton and he took an optimistic view
of life. He always had pleasant
smile, hearty hand shake, and .
word of cheerful greeting for all
Mr.. johnson was in every sense of
the word self-made man. He came
to America with brother in 1892 and
by persistent efforts and hard work
raised himself to an enviable position
in the social, political and business af-
fairs of the community. His worth
has often been recognized in election
to public Office. He has twice repre-
scented the town Of Thompson in the
house of the general assembly, in the
sessions of 1911 and 1913. He was
elected county sealer of weights and
measures when that Office was first
created, and has held it ever since.
For six years he was a member of the
board of assessors of the town of
Thompson. He was a justice of the
peace for many years and usually
was called upon to act as trial justice
in cases arising in his section Of the
town. For six years Mr.. Johnson was
treasurer of the Swedish Republican
State League Of Connecticut and lat
Putnam patriot., 1920-09-03
PATRIOTS QUARTERS
ENLARGED

The Patriot has enlarged its
quarters by the addition Of two
more rooms. The room formerly
occupied by f. w. Seward, first
door to the right at the top of the
stairs in Union Block, has been
taken over by The Patriot as its
business Office and has been refit-
ted to meet requirements. This
gives more room for the mechani-
cal department to house additional
machinery used in the growing
business.
Across the hall from the entrance
to the business department is the
private Office of the president. G..
Lawrence Perkins, and the treas
urer and manager, John j. White
head, Jr.
The Patriot is in better posi-
ton than ever before to handle job
and commercial printing Of all
kinds.
Putnam patriot., 1920-09-03
ARREST PUTNAM BOY
FOR THEFT OF WATCH

Lean Vonnose, Is, is being held in
Hartford for the next criminal term
of the superior court. He is Putnam
boy and went to Hartford to work in
a restaurant.
Vannose was arrested ON the charge
of stealing a watch and certificates of
stock from a man who roomed in the
same house. His brother left Putnam
this Friday morning to see what ar
engagements can be made to get the
boy out on bonds.
Putnam patriot., 1920-09-03
HERBERT OWEN RESIGNS
WILL co TO NORWICH

Herbert Owen, local manager of
the Elmer Automobile Company since
August, 1917, has resigned, the resig-
nation to take effect Saturday night.
Mr.. Owen has accepted a position
with the Norwich Motor Car Company
and viii have charge of the Federal
truck department. He. viii remove
his household effects as soon as he
finds house.
Putnam patriot., 1920-09-03
MIDSHIPMAN RAFFERTY, HOME

Midshipman William Rafferty, Of
Annapolis arrives in Putnam tonight
Friday to be the guest for month
of his parents. Mr.. and Mrs. William
Rafferty,, Grove street. He was met
in Hartford by his sister Elizabeth,
who motored on with him. He was
also accompanied by friend, who
will spend the weekend in Putnam,
on his way to his home in the west.