Norwich bulletin., 1920-08-10
WESTERLY

Very many of the friends and relatives of Deacon James Aitken attended his fu- neral Monday afternoon, services being held in the First Baptist church, the pas tor, Rev. Byron U. Hatfield. officiating. There were beautiful floral tributes, in cluding pieces from Clan Cameron, the Paving Cutters union and the Mems club of the First Baptist church. InteFment was at River Bend and the bearers were John Ferguson, Sr., James Mckenzie, ST, William Anderson, James Edmond and Deacons George B. Taylor and Leo Nye.
 Deacon Aitken was a paving cutter by occupation, but as he was not physically able to continue work at his trade. se- cured employment at the Atwood plant in Stonington. Just as he was about to en- ter the plant Monday morning of last week he was stricken suddenly. He was conveyed to his home in Westerly He partially recovered from this shock but died very suddenly from heart disease Friday evening.
 Deacon Aitken was the son of Alexan- der and Ann Cruil1shank Aitken and was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, Dec. F, 1855 He came to the United States in 1876 and after five years in Wisconsin he located in Westerly. When on a visit in Aber- deen in 1885 he married Miss Helen Sy- mon. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and son, Mrs. Robert Sharp of Boston and Miss Jessie Aitken and James D. s. Aiken of Westerly also by four brothers, John of Aberdeen, Robert of Wilmington, Del. and David and Alex ander Aiken of Westerly.
 MT. Aitken in addition to being dea- con in the First Baptist church was a member of the Order of Scottish Clans Foresters of America and Westerly Pay ing Cutters union.
 Conditions have changed in the arrest and prosecution of violators of the auto mobile traffic laws since automobile and violations have increased. Several years ago, on Sunday afternoon, the operator of a machine from up York state was ar rested by a special constable for speed ing on the Shore road. The machine was of the highest grade of that time. The owner driver stopped when so command ed by the offer and was ordered to drive to the police station in the basement of the old town hall The automobile owner was thrust direct into a cell, while the women passengers with him were permit ted to remain in the chiefs office.
 When Chief Bransfeld arrived and realized the situation he at once unlocked the door of the prison cell and permitted the traffic offender to join the rest of the
 
 go to a hotel near by for supper holding the automobile as security for the return of the owner.
 Soon the judge of tie Third district court arrived, held a special session of court in the police station, and fine of s190 and costs was imposed for exceeding the speed limit.
 Now when an automobilist drives faster than the law allows and is detected by the motorcycle cop he Is ordered to stop The officer takes his name and address the registry, number of his machine, and then hands him a card inviting the of fender to report at Fridays session of the Third district court. If the character of his business is such that he could not conveniently report at that time, or if on a touring trip that would not bring him back this way, a special session of the court will be held for his accommoda ton. Instead of fine of s100, the regulation penalty in the local court for simple over speeding is S25.
 A fire alarm was sent in Monday af- ternoon just before three o'clock from Box T, Pleasant and Canal streets As the first round finished, the Alert Hook and Ladder company and the Cyclone chemical and hose apparatus were roll ing. In coming down Union street hill and turning into Broad street there was near-collision between the hook and ladder truck and Milo Clark delivery truck. The driver of the latter evidently expected to set by Union street before the fire apparatus reached Broad street, so he drove along to the left of the cen tre of the street heading towards Elm street. Just as tha Clark outfit reached Union street, the fire truck rounded the corner, and the Clark truck was veered to the right. But for the prompt action of Eddie Farrell, driver of the fire ap- paratus. in bringing the truck to quick stop, there would have been a sure co!- lision.
 The fire was in a small barn at T Pierce street. owned by Antonio Lorello. When the fire was discovered it was a | mass of flames, and frantic efforts to save a horse were without avail. The animal was burned to death, and the | barn with it's contents was completely l destroyed The cause of the fire was | not ascertainable. When the firemen ar rived, the barn was burning fiercely and | the tenement house in front was smoking from the intense heat. and there was a 1 blaze from sparks in the roof of another i house. The f1remen worked quickly and | efficiently. and the fire damage was con- 1 fined to the barn and contents.