davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1921-03-11
Father of Steamboat

A Connecticut Yankee named John Fitch built the first steamboat in America and saw it operate successful lyon the Delaware river. He took his own life rather than submit to the more sedious extinguishing process of starvation. A thousand Americans have heard of Robert Fulton to one who remembers the name of Fitch. It is not, however. a case of Fulton's hav- ing received more credit than was his due, but of Fitch's having received less. -s.-
 History has neglected more com pletely one phase of Fulton's activity, of our day, exhibited his extraordinary which, in the opinion of most engineers inventime talent in far greater degree than did his adaptation of the ideas of his forerunners when he constructed the C1ermont. Here is what Fulton wrote in 1913 at the end of specifica- tion paper detailing a device for in turing or destroying ships or vessels oi war: Any attempt to fire any kinC | of ordnance under water in attacks or vessels of war or maritime comba !, will be considered a violation and pur' vey of my invention. ."-Detroft News.
Norwich bulletin., 1921-03-11
MILITARY MEN AT VENSON SUPPER

military organization from a mob is or ganization and discipline. Stick to it, put all your enthusiasm in it and you will have the best company in the state, said the major in conclusion.
 Speaks For American Legion.
 After a vocal solo by Private McNeely at the suggestion of Captain Denison, Major Blackmar, explained the aim and object !, f the American Legion. No doubt you all know what the American Legion stands for, mainly rAmericanisn, he said. In organization there is. strength. The major went on to say that the American Legion exists not so much for the bene- fit of the. ex-service men who > came through the war whole, but for their | wounded comrades. | We aim this year, if possible, to con- duct a campaign for permanent home for the American Legion in Norwich. said | the major. The dues in the Legion are s3.50 year with dollar enrolment fee 1 the first year. Ex-service men ought to stick together. It is an organization of | ex-service men and it is the duty of ev-
 cry ex-service man to get into the Legion | We have now in the state tuberculosis | sanatorium five ex-service men suffering
 from tuberculosis developed in and cred tied to their service. In the state hospi.
 tai for the insane there are 27 ex-service
 men mentally incapacitated due to their 1 service in the war. One of the objects | Of the American Legion is to keep before
Norwich bulletin., 1921-03-11
Olympic
NCRwi;..%! fOW1

Thursday afternoon at the First Meth odist parsonage. the March meeting of Oorcas Home Missionary society brought together fifteen members and friends. In the absence of the president. Mrs. Frederick H. Bushnell, the vice president. Mrs Alber. T. Miner, presided over the business session and led the devotional exercises. It was voted to hold the usual Lenten service on Friday (Fast Day) at the parsonage. During the afternoon the society sewed on patchwork. Little Miss Helen Rudd. aged four. who ac- companies her mother at each of these meetings. also sewed. X collection was taken which will be added to the contin- gent fund. At the close sandwiches cake and tea was served by Misses Sarah and Margaret Crawford.
 Arthur Avery has returned from a few days stay in Mystic. where he attended the three days session of the Older Boys conference at the Baptist church. Mr. Avery. who was one of the 125 dele gates from New London county, repre- sented the First Congregational Sunday school of Norwich Town. While in Mystic he was entertained at the home of Mir. and Mrs. Henry Schroder.
 Callers Thursday afternoon at the
Norwich bulletin., 1921-03-11

Honored by the presence of Mayer Her bert M. Lerou,, several members If the court of common council and visiting 4a- tional guard officers from Danielson, Bat tery B., (formerly Third S,onnpany), c. A. C., c. N. G., held a delightful banquet, followed by addresses and athletic events at the state armory Thursday evenins. The evening. was a success from begin ming 10 end: and. all are loud il: their praise of Henry R. Woodward, who pro- vided the venison for the banquet, and the committee who had charge Of the ar rangernents of the evening. The guests included Mayor Herbert M Lerou, ouncilman' J ohm s. Blackmar, Coun- cilman Charles A. Hagberg, ~Dr. e. c. Gildersleeve, a major in the state guard reserve, Captain A. P. Woodward, Dam ielson; Captain Huntingdon, Danic:Son Joseph A. George. s. Seigel and Earle c. Herrick. The banquet was held at 8 O. clock in the drill hall where five or six | long tables had been set up to accommo- date the 150 or more present. During the banquet Swahn's orchestra furnished an excellent concert programme. The battery officers and their guests l were seated at table in the center Of 1 the hall, the mayor occupying the seat
 of honor. The menu served was as fol-
 lows:
 1 Tomato Soup Roast Venison Gravy
 Mashed Potatoes Mashed Turnips Olives Pickles Celery Olives
 | Rolls
 | Ice Cream and Pie | Coffee
 Cigars Cigarettes l Captain William R. Denison, command 1 ing officer of the battery, acted as toast
 master. At the close of the menu Captain Denison called the gathering to order anl proposed a rising vote of appreciation to Henry R. Woodward who provided the Ivenison for the supper. The captain had ihardly proposed the rising vote when the
 men were on their feet cheering MT. Woodward, and the committee m cnarge i of the evening.
 Captain Denison then introduced as the first speaker Mayor Herbert M. Lerou
 who expressed his plea sure in being able to participate in the gathering. I am always glad to visit this company. said the mayor. In concluding his brief talk the mayor congratulated the officers and men on the fine showing they are making in local national guard circles
 Major Charles A. Hagberg and Captain A. P. Woodward of Danielson spoke
 briefly and encouragingly to the members
 of the company and they were followed by Major John s. Blackmar, commander of Fletcher Post of the American Le' Igion Major Blackmar complimented the
 company on their excellent showing.
 The first requisite in a military organ
 ization is discipline. said Major Black mar The only thing that distinguishes [
Norwich bulletin., 1921-03-11

home of Mrs. Ida E. P. Parkhurst were MT. and Mrs. Jessie O. Crary of Preston City. Mrs. Crary is a niece of Mrs. ParkhurSt.
 Peep frogs were heard on East Town street and the song sparrow and robin on Huntington Lane Wednesday.
 The First Congregational Home Mis- sionary society is. to meet with Mrs Gurdon F. Bailey, at the parsonage, this (Friday) afternoon. The March meeting of Home chapter Of the Kings Daughters is to be held Mon day afternoon. at the Johnson home. Roy Gurdon F. Bailey. pastor of the First Congregational church. will be the officiating clergyman at the Sheltering Arms service Sunday afternoon. He will be assisted by memberes of his church choir. ; The March meeting of the Mems league is to be held Monday evening at eight o'clock in the Norwich Town chapel. Roy B. Keller. secretary of the county Y. M. C. A., is to give the address of | the evening. MT. Keller who is develop | ing work with the boys in the outlying towns will use for his subject. Work l With the Boys in New London County. A handsome new heavily gold plated | badge has recently been received by Loca Agent Dr. Charles H. Lamb. from H l Clay Preston. general manager of the 1 Connecticut Humane society. bearing tht title of this society. with the state seal ir l the . ter. On the top of the badge is an eaga with outstretched wings.
 Mrs. William E. House Ruth Avery Lucas) leaves this (Friday) morning fol Boston. where she will be met by hel husband before prcce eding to Portsmouth
 N. H.. where MT. House is located ir
 tho navy, stationed on the United State submarine C-2 Mrs. House is to remai
 in Portsmouth indefinitely.
 Mrs. Mary Smith has returned t.
 East Walpole, Mass, after passing sev
 eral days at the home of her son-in-lav l and daughter, MT. and Mrs. Sidney Smith.
 Mrs. Albert F. Greene has been enter taining for a few days her cousin. Mrs
 James Sexton Of Boston, Wednesda, Mrs. Greene and Mrs Sexton were guest
 of. their cousin. Mrs. M. c. Card, O
 South Windham.
Norwich bulletin., 1921-03-11
GIVES $4e VERDICT FOR
 &E GEO. DAwLEY OF .voLUNTowN


 Charles Bloomquist. of Hartford, who sued George Dawley. Jr.. of VoiHntown for $1O,900 damages because of colli sion between Bloomquists motorcycle and Dawley's autmobile. loses his suit, &C., cording to a finding handed down Thurs day by Judge George F.. lHinman before whom the case was recently tired nc-e in the superior court.
 Judge Hinman gives the verdict for the defendant, Dawley. to recover $40 and costs on his ceunterclaim for S590 dam ages In his memorandum;Aof tfecision he states that the plaintiff failed to prove his case by a preponderance of evidence.
 The accident ou which the suit was brought occurred on the road between Jewett City and Voluntown on the aft ernoon of August 31, 1919, when the two machines. travelirg in opposite directions. eollided, at curve near the Woodward school house. BIoomquist was knoiSed unconscious when he was thrown out of the motorcycle and had his face badly cut. In the trial of theAsuit Attorney T. M. Shields appeared for MT. Dawley Attorneys Rathbun and Danaher for the plaintiff.
 Judge Hinman's memorandum of Jac sion is as follows:
 If the collision between defendants automobile and plaintiffs motorcycle oc- cured where and as testifed to by the plaintiff and his witnesses. defendants liability would be clear. On the other hand, if the evidence introduced by the defendant be taken as establishing the | true account of the occurrence, the plain tiff was negligent and the defendant was not guilty of even contributory negli. gence. The decisive question then is as to tn, credibility of the respective witnesses. A, to this. the conclusion is reached that tn, plaintiff has failed to sustain the burdeI of proof incumbent upon him under tn, complaint and the answer thereto. anC that the defendant Nas proven the essen tial allegations of his counter-claim a. l to due care on his part and negligence o the plaintiff in failing to slacken his pac, and reasonably turn to the right. where | By the collision occurred and his result 1 ing damage. This conclusion is not con ] tributed to or affected by the evidence al l to claimed statements by the witness Pierce. soon after the collision. which evi dence was admitted solely for the purpos, of affecting the credibility of said Pierce i His condition. at >Ne time. as a result O ! having been thrown from the motorcycl l (one of the few points as to which tn, testimony is in harmony was such tha no significance attaches to whatever, i anything. he may have then said.
 Judgment is that the defendant recove from plaintiff. under his counter-clain $40 damages and his costs.
Norwich bulletin., 1921-03-11
TAF1VELLE

At a recent meeting of the Merchants association held in the fire station on Mercaants avenue. the members decided to hold smoker on the first Monday of next month. Other matter of routine nature was transacted.
 The property owners will hold their monthly meeting next Monday. to clear np certain matters.
 Many signs of spring were witnessed yesteroay. such as seeing small boys shooting marbles and spinning tops and youaS girls playing with bouncing balls.
 Some Of the villages are looking over their seed catalogues, planning their gar dens for the coming season.
 One local farmer reported yesterday that the frost is pretty well out of the ground. remaining only in places where the sun doOs not strike it all day.
 A large delegation of basketball fans are planning to take in the game be- tween the Connecticut Mills Five and the Crescent A. A. team Saturday night Sn Danielson. This is the final game oi the series for the championship.
 The Olympic five won three sti-ings from the Lisbon bowlers on the local al. ieys in a village league match gamc seidel rolled high single and high thre, went to Armitsge. Score:
Norwich bulletin., 1921-03-11
Rumanian Gypsies.

Of the dozens of different people in Rumania none is more picturesque than tire gypsies. Like their prototype in America, they rove the country in great caravans. earning. stray pennies by begging, dancing, playing music and telling fortunes. In the cities they sometimes earn their bread and on- ions by shining shoes. peddling lemon ade or acting as portefs.
 The high cost of living. which has drawn tight the strings of every purse has brought double hardships to these wanderers. No matter how well they played their violins. no matter what good fortune they see in the stars for those about them, they find 1t hard to coax pennies from the empty pockets Of the war oppressed Rumanian peo- pie. Many of them have starved tc death.
 Among the gypsy women and girli are to be found some striking types oi beauty. Dark of complexion and hair with shining, long-lashed black eyes
Norwich bulletin., 1921-03-11

the public and the authorities the fact that it is their duty to look after these men.
 Captain Denison then introduced Major c. c. Gildersleeve. I wish you every suc- cess in the world for your company, said Mapor Gildersleeve during his brief talk to the boys.
 On National Guard. i MT. McNeeiy favored the gathering with another solo after which Captain Deni- son explained the aim of the national guard. He spoke of the many advantages of membership in the national guard and said that the artillery equipment for the l local battery is expected soon to arrive. He advised anyone desiring to enlist in | the battery or the combat train which is being organized now to get m at once so l that they will be able to go to the sum- mer encampment.
 1 Captain Denison said that part of the | artillery equipment will be kept at Man. tic and the remainder will be kept at the armory. The combat train, he said will provide the means of transportation fo; the battery which is 10 be fully motorized
 Athletics on Programme.
 Lieut. Ernest Bartolucci then took over the programme at this point and the re- maiader of the evening was devoted tC ath ttic events.
 The first part of the programme con sisted of three spirited and lively spar ring matches. The first was between Battling Barbetti and Young Cote. 1 went four rounds of one minute each an, resulted in draw
 | Joe Bernhard and Young Brown thcl appeared in the ring. This event wen three rounds of one minute each, re2ult ing in a draw.
 The final match was between Corpora Bonin and Corporal Gauchier. The wen two. rounds, one a minute each, botl making an unusually good showing Ser geant George Malcolm refereed tn matches and Corporal Stewart Wilsol acted as timekeeper.
 Wrestling was next on the programme
Norwich bulletin., 1921-03-11
FULL ASSOCIATED
PRESS DEsFATcHLs

Annual damage done by rats in New York City. the federal statisticisns de- clare, is SIG. .S00, 900. In New York Satte their depredations total S35, ,000.- 900. and in the entire country i200. .00o.- 900.
 All human efforts to. stay the pro- pagation of rats have failed. They are everywhere and in countless numbers. Dr. Heisler of the Rockefeller Institute says one pair of rats will have more than 1000 900 descendants in three years. As carries of disease. science now recognizes them as peril to every community and human habitation. The damage they do is known to every farmer. merchant and Householder in the land. Concrete construction alone baffies them.
 The grayish brown rat, which comes from India and Persia, has driven out the earlier back rat. It came to Europe through Russia about 200 years ago. and from Europe to America some fifty years later. driving out the black rat which also originated in Asia and came to America about 800 years ago.
 Rats are great ravelers-especially by water, and it is absolutely impos- sible to keep them out of wooden craft, either on the ocean or rivers. Many of the Asiatic nations. particularly the lfAtAA lESAl M e QOuDL the Chinese. as well as African peoples, eat of their eYtermination by man. Ger tain animals and birds prey upon them foxes. wildcats. haks and owls but are not sufficiently numerous 10 make any perceptible decrease in their mum. bers. Only when some natural raj enemy that multiplies as rapidly al
 they. and which can meet them in thei natural haunts. develops. will the ra l disappear from the earth. A pest tha | breeds from three to five times a yea | in filters of F to Is. that works whil
 men sleep, and that is fond of fighting is. so far, at least, too much for man
 exterminating hand. The hand of ma
 is exceedingly skillful. but a rats tai
 has more muscles.-Chicago Journal 0 | Commerce.
Norwich bulletin., 1921-03-11

they are a delight to look upon. They have not yet aequired the art of using cosmetics as their sisters in the United States do.--
 Superstition plays a large part in the life of the. gypsy. One of the many an- cient scnstoms which still survives among the women is to beat them selves frightfully if one of their chil- dren dies. They believe the death has been caused by an evil spirit having entered the body of the child as well as of the mother. and that they chastise themselves. the spirit will de- port.-San Francisco Chronicle.
Norwich bulletin., 1921-03-11
CHECK LIST READY IN
 CASE MEETING WANTS IT

CASE MEETING WANTS IT
 The registrars of voters are preparing check list in case a check list vote should be called for at the special town meeting to be held this (Friday) evening at the town hall to. vote on the school question. The indications are that there will be large attendance at the meet ing, which involves a vote on appropria- tions totaling $2o9.2o0 for the purpose of providing for the erection of a 16-room school building on the West Side and the purchasing Of lot with dwelling on the East Side adjoining the Bridge district school, for school purposes.
 The cost of the new school building proposed foY the West Side will be $201,. 0e0. The town school board and the Chamber of Commerce are back of the new school movement. which if success. fully carried out will relieve the conges tion in the West Side schools. The Bridge district schoo: is also overcrowded. Al present there is no room for the kinder. garten, which has had to find refuge iI the Preston chapel which is owned -by the Central Baptist church.; .s
 If the sS:200 appropriation is voted I will enable the town school board to pur chase the lot adjoining the Bridge school The dwelling on the lot would be put t use as kinderga rten for the school an, the lot itself wora be available for flu ture school building or for expansion o the present school building.
 So far as is apparent from what littl discussion on the subject has been hear on the street. it is not known whether tn meeting will be all harmonious in favo of the motion before it or whether som
 citizen may lead an opposition move nent
Norwich bulletin., 1921-03-11

Gilmour and Lewis appeared on the mat first. They sailed right in. both '5evi- denclng more than an average knowledge Of the various holds. They were pretty evenly matched and there were some tense moments but the bell cut the strug- gle short.
 The second wrestling match was an excellent display of strength. It was staged by Mossessian and Gotham and re- suited in a victory for Botham after a hard fight
 The tug of war events followed the wrestling. In, the first event Team. No 2, explained by Private Scott won out over Team No. l; captained by Private Howard. The teams were made up as follows:
 Team No. Anchor, Howard; Beau soleil, Lecture, c. Frazier and Coleman
 Team No. 2-Anchor, Scott; Pierce War'>, Cauiki1s and Besade. The second event resulted in victorN for the First Platoon over the Second Platoon. The platoon teams were mad, up as follows: a&
 First PIatoon-Anchor. Howard; Pro dell, Boucher, Disco and Morrow. | Second Platoon-Anchor. Fenton, Gou cher, Lemieuz, R. Frazier and Curtis. l Private Mossessian and Alec Power
 then engaged in an egg race, Mossessiai carrying away the honors l The final event of the evening was , lively indoor baseball game betweel teams explained by Pvt. Stewart and Pvt Charles Belair. The score resulted in i tie, to g.
 1 The general committee in charge of tn arrangements for the evening compriset Lieut.. Ernest Bartolucci, chairman Lieut.. David Tor--en, First Sergean 1 TJov-r 1 Sgt George A. Turner, Sgt. J. J. Caul kins, Sgt. Ives, Corporal Stewart Wilson Pvt. Charles Belair and Pvt. Paul Fan 1 ming.
Norwich bulletin., 1921-03-11
HALLE CLUB DELEGATES
 FOR CONNECTICUT MEETING

The March meeting of the Halle club was held Wednesday evening with the vice president, Miss, Katherine Smith, presiding. Mention was made of the coming visit of Miss Hively, state secre- tary of the National League of Girls Clubs. sa
 The matter of whether the Halle club delegates would attend the New York or Connecticut board meeting this spring was decided in favor of Connecticut, the meeting to be held in Middletown It was voted to. send the customary gift of candy at Easter to the children in the county home.
Norwich bulletin., 1921-03-11

The long and usful life of Mrs. Eliza Gadle Evans came to a close Thursday at the home of her nephew Peter Gadfe- 26 Seventh street. She was born in Worms. Germany about S2 years ago She came to this country at the age of four and lived about 7S years in Greene vile She is survived by one sister Atrs. Bella Parr, who resides in New sersey. and four nephews. Peter. Charles Joseph and Paul Gadle of this city
 Thomas Ryan of Seventh street who has been confined to his home with ill., ness is able to be about again. z.'
 Mrs. E. C. Warl'U-ton of Springfield Mass. is visiting for few days with Mrs. Mary Fitzpatrick of Prospect street
Norwich bulletin., 1921-03-11

Marking the dividing line between Eu- rope and Asia and of Russia and Siberia on the summit of the ural mountains s the "Monnment.o Of Tesn,'' a white trian- gliiar pyramid. TO significant 10 inc un- fortunate exile whose eyes here catch a final glimpse of the land which contains all that Is dear to him.
Norwich bulletin., 1921-03-11
The panaerous and Pestif.rous Rat.

In New York an effort to make the city ratproof and ratless is on. It takes the form of an ordinance which at an expense of from fifty to hum dred million dollars would require that every building within six hundred feet of the waterfront have foundation walls of concrete five feet above grade level coverd with closs wide netting.
 This proposal is made primarily 10 protect the city from the bubonic plague, which is surely advancing, thirty cases having developed in south ern ports during the past three months. There is an economic reason as we'll
Norwich bulletin., 1921-03-11
Gift to Backus Hospital.

The ladies of the hospital board of the United Congrega tiUnal church, Mrs. Arca- ibald Mitchell. Jr., chairman. have fin ished and forwarded to the Backus hos pital 137 Canton Flannel squares for the maternity department which were grate. fully received by the hospital officers
Norwich bulletin., 1921-03-11
Wednesdays Rainfall 1.os 1ncb.,

Wednesdays rainfall as measured by Supervisor Charles w. Burton of the wa ter department amounted to 1.03 inches for March 1.47 inches.