davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-03-11
Motion Filed InAtchison
 Will Contest

Incorporation of closing argu- ments to the jury into the Supreme Court appeal record Of the Atchison children was requested today by the executor of the will of the late Lawr- ence Atchison of Middlebury, and 6 hearing on the motion has been set for the short calendar session of sue perlor court Friday, March l7.
 Attorney John 1T. Cassidy, coun- sel for Lawrence L. Lewis, the will executor, asks that arguments made by the childrens counsel, Attorney Michael V. Blnasfield, be printed and be made part of the record of appeal. He explains the request by stating that the arguments set forth the claims from the evidence which the children contend Sustains their reason of appeal.
 The two minors, Margaret and Al- den Atchison, took their fight to break their fathers will to the high court when Judge Frank P. McEvoy last Nov. 6 set aside a jury verdict returns seven months before in their favor. Each was bequeathed $l00 from their fathers $29,o00 estate.
 The latest motion in the lengthy proceedings points to the childrens claims that their father did not have testamentary capacity at the time he executed he will but suffered from insane delusions and was un- duly influenced by his brother, his brothers wife, and their son. The Middlebury resident left a $500 be- quest to George K. Cashman. e close friend, $l00 to third child. Lawr- ence, Jr., and the bulk of the estate went to his brother, Edwin 0. Atch- ison.
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The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-03-11
Death For Vichyite

Algiers, March ll-(UP - Pierre Pucheu, former Vichy minister of interior, who escaped from France to AlgierS, was convicted of treason by e French court today and Sen- tenced to death.
 The verdict was handed down by Q five-judge special tribunal that rejected a defense plea that the case be dismissed or at least suspended until 1t could be tried in France. The defense argued that certain documents vital to its case still were in France.
 The court, composed of two civil- ians and three generals, deliberated only 55 minutes before reaching it's decision and the death sentence was imposed immediately.
 Pucheu was the first former mem ber of a Vichy cabinet to be tried by courts set up by @en. Charles de Gaulle's French committee of nA. tional liberation.
 Among the witnesses called by the defense was Gen. Henri Honore Giraud, French commander in chief and former co-president of the Ma. tionai Liberation Committee, who testified he suggested to Pucheu that the latter come to Algiers.
 Pucheu argued in his own defense that the Vichy government, though operating under the shadow of Germany, was legal regime Tecog- nized by the United States and other nations.
 He asserted that he used his post as interior minister to alleviate the cases of Frenchmen who fen afoui of German occupation authorities. The prosecution contended that Pucheu sent many Frenchmen Co their deaths before firing squads.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-03-11
43 Tax Collections
 Highest M Decade

Local authorities collected $5,489,- 382.2 .29, or 98.03 per e of the city'S l942 tax levy of $5,599 ,ses,92, col- lectable In l943, according to figures revealed today relative to compu- tations as of Dec. 3l, l943. This per- centage of collections is the highest in ten years.
 Despite this achievement local authorities today stated that a more intensive campaign to collect out standing taxes would be forthcom- Ing, based principally 0 nthe belief that the citys taxpayers are in q better position now to meet these obligations because of the wartime prosperity. A total of $77v.ll7.0l in uncollected taxes remained on the city's books as of Dec. 3l, made up of $iSe, ,737.i9 in taxes receivable on lists p.ior to 1888 and $587, ,379, ,83 uncollected since 1883. Of this latter total $l08,6i6.60 pertains to the ioA2 list, for an average of 1.W per ceiihee the latter total levy yet un- coIIer1aI ..s.s'-aaHea~~.---
 A comparisons of the last ten years collections reveals that 1884 1885 and 1888 collection years were the poorest. In 1884 collections based on a levy of $5,22l $50, resulted in but an 8S,5 percentage collected which by Dec. 3i, l943 had been ad- justod to Q 99.ll percentage leaving a total to be collected on this list of ,S9 per cent. In 1885, 90.2 percent of the levy of $5, 6,832,s4 was col lected which was raised to 9e,08 by l943 for an uucollected balance of .92 per cent. In l9S6 on Q levy of $6,li4, ,257.52, 6 93,5 percentage col- lection was effected which, after further collections by the close of I943 had raised the percentage on this levy to 99.l6, now remains at .84 to be gathered in.
 1887 Percentage
 Tn 1897, percentage collection of 94,3 was made which as of Dec. 3i, I943 stood at 09,09 for m uncol- lected remainder of .9l percent. In 1888 on c levy of $5,ls7 ,233.96 there Wdb CVtAGSteA & PeANSAphhS SA VH'o which was adjusted by l943 to 9892 leaving balance of i,0s. The 1889 collectaole levy of $5S74, ,58c was col lected in the amount Of 95,3 percent, adjusted by last year to 98,8S leav- ing an uncollected balance of i,l2. On the collectable levy in l940, 96.6 was taken in with the same adjust ment and uncollected balance as the year previous.
 In i94l on a levy of $S,27s, ,7oss2 Q total of 97.6 was collected with which by 1043 had been adjusted to 0s.9l for a remainder uncollected Of l.09. In l942 on a levy of $5,497 ,558.- SC total collections amounteG to T,9 which by the close of last year had been boosted to 97.l7 for an uncol- lected balance of 2,83.
 The 1943 collection percentage, relative to the l942 levy, Is based on a tax rate of 90 mills. These figures included all real and personal taxes plus school district and postponed taxes prior to the l943 collection.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-03-11
Senotor,5 Others Die In Hotel Fire
BY BETTY McDAYID
nited Press Staff Correspondent)

(Untted Press Staff COrreSpOndent)
 Richmond, Va., March ll.-(UP)- Six persons were killed and at least 26 injured today in fire that swept the two top floors of the fashionable Jefferson hotel, for years tho center of Richmond's social and political activities.
 Among the identified dead was State Sen. Aubrey Weaver, D., of Front Royal, Va, chairman 10 the state finance committee and one of the most popular men on Capi- tol Hill, he died of a heart attack.
 Other identified dead were:
 Miss Dorothy Gam, Newark, II. J. Miss Jean Manfredi, 1rvington, Va., John W. Ross, ship cook, 20, Camp Ferry.
 The blaze was confined to the fifth and sixth floors of the hotel, and by 3 a. m. tne fire was under control. Hotel officials said 100 rooms on the sixth floor, and 50 on the fifth were damaged.
 Soldiers and sailors helped police and firemen in rescutng guests trapped on the two floors.
 Fire Chief A. F. Taylor was un- able to estimate the amount of dam age or the cause of the fire, nl- though a bellboy at the hotel said the blaze started in Q linen closet.
 Most of the injured were taken to Medical college hospital. All of the city's available ambulances and fire fighting equipment was summoned to the scene.
 Some of the injured were hurt leaping from windows of the up- per floors of the siX-story hotel. Others were overcome by heavy smoke which rolled through the cor riders.
 Most of the guests had retired when the first of three alarms came two minutes before midnight. The second alarm was sounded at l2:lO e. m., and the last ten minutes la ter.
 Senator Weaver was identified by Dr. Morton R. Wilson, county cor oner. Among the injured was State Senator II. 0. Stuart, Of Elk Gar den,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-03-11
Failure In Italy
 ColUs Nazi Morale
BY c. R. CUNNINGHAM

United Press War Correspondent
 Allied Headquar ters, Naples, March II-(UP) - American troops have beaten back another enemy in. filtration attack southeast of Aprilia 1t was disclosed today as Nazi pris- oncrs reported that Germ. morale has sunk to allow ebb as result of their failure to fulfill Adolf Hltler's order to eliminate the Anzio beach, head.
 Activity on the beachhead was limited with moderate harassing by opposing artillery. A German patrol of Il men was captured the vicin- aty of Littoria while two German self-propelled guns firing aganist Allied positions southeast of Aprilia were forced to withdraw.
 The enemy suffered at least 100 casualties ct the hands of the Amer jeans ia one of two a...acks south of Apr!lia last Tuesday night, 1t was revealed. The bodies of 8 Germans were found on the battlefield.
 NaZi prisoners and other sources reported evidence of depression" aomng German troops facing the beachhead below Rome as Q result of their failure to drive the Fifth army forces into the seq in three heavy and costly attacks.
 German morale was reported high wien the enemy troops first went into action. They had been told that they would have terrific" air sup port and that more than 300 tanks half of them tigers-would spear head the drive to push the Anglo American forces off the beaches,
 But morale droppid again as 6 result of Hitlers special order say ing that the beachhead would be eliminated within three days after the attacks first started.
 Prisoners described the beach, head fighting as "hellish" with the Allied artillery fire said to be worse than that hurled at the Germans on the Russian front. Nazi morale also slipped because of the Luftwaffes failure over the beachhead where Allied planes dominate.
 Depression
 Tt is suggested that the German high command also is facing de- pression as 1t contemplates the
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The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-03-11

Paducah, Ky, March il. -- (UP) -- Friends Of Irwin s. Cobb today carried out the humorist's request that there be no funeral fhppery" in completing arrangements for memorial services.
 Cobb, 67. who had been ailing for many years, died in New York yesterday after being In coma for 24 hours. Mrs. Cobb and his nurse were at the bedside. Private services will be held there Monday, followed by cremation. and the ashes will b. sent 10 Paducah.
 Matte Copeland, former Negro cook in tho Cobb home here, was in charge of the memorial services to
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-03-11
Italy RR Line Thought Cut

Allied Headquar ters, Naples, March iI-- (UP) American Billy Mitchell bornbers were believed to- day to have severed in two places the railroad line from Florence to Rome over which the Germans have been bringing supplies and rein- forcements for their troops around the Anzio beachhead and on the Cassino front.
 The planes smashed at the Lit torio rail yards on Romes northern outskirts yesterday while B-26 Mar auders bombed the Tiburtina yards in the Italian capitals eastern sub- urbs. It was indicated thL at both places important railroad lines have been cut" at least temporarily
 It was the Allied air forces seventh raid on Rome's military targets in eight months.
 "The bombing was @ perfect as 1t could be-all in the right area said Staff Sgt. Carleton s. Watson or
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The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-03-11
FIRE REFUSES AMERICAN PL "A FIatIy Rejects War-MeaSure Request
U. 5. BOMbERS
 ERASE PONAPE,
 POP. 10000
BY DAN MCGUIRE United Press War COrrespondent)

4 A$fAAN NASNN SAANS
 United Press War COrrespOndent)
 Pearl Harbor, March Il. - (UP) - American bomberS seeking to neutralize Ponape, Japanese island base only 450 miles east of Truk, were re- ported today to have de- stroyed the main town of 10000 persons and to have wrecked it's seaplane; base so thoroughly that it has been decommiSSioned.
 First details of the destruction wrought in nearly month of raids on Ponape were disclosed in @ dts- patch from Ray Coll, Jr., United Press Correspondent with the 7th Air Force, only few hours after Pacific fleet headquarters an- nounced new air attacks on the island and on Kusaie, $50 miles to the southwest.
 Nearly half the town of Ponape, largest on the island Of the same name, was wiped out by fires touched off by American incendiary bombs February 2l and later attacks com. pleted Its destruction. Almost all Its 10000 inhabitants were Japanese.
 Every building at the islands sea. plane base, as well as its concrete ramp, was destroyed or damaged in the heaviest raid on the island Feb ruary 2, coll reported, The base since has been decommissioned,
 Seventh Air Force Liberators bombed Ponape Wednesday for the fifth time In days, concentrating on the islands fighter base and dock facilities. The bombers met no fighter interception and damage from anti-aircratt fire was de- scrthed as slight. E,
 Ponape, third most important base In the Carolines and largest of Ja- pans mandated islands, has been found to be lightly fortified, even in comparison with atolls already captured by American invasion forces In the Gilberts and Marshalls, Coll reported.
 The destruction already has been so complete that the Japanese must know Ponape no longer has
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-03-11
No ':Flippery" "Nor Dismal Numbers at Cobb s Funeral

be conducted today in Paducah. She was asked fin Q letter Cobb wrote before his death to gather some of her choir friends from Burke'S Chapel African Methodist Church to sing "Swing Low Sweet chariot" and Deep River.
 When she heard of Cobb's death, Matte made the rounds, ordered the choir to report today and returned home last night, weary but con- tented that she was carrying out "Mistuh Cobb's" request.
 Some of them jist sit right down md cried" she said.
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The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-03-11
By FRED SCHERFF

(UmIted Press Stan COPFespOndenU
 Washington, March ii.-(UP- John Darsey, chief of the war frauds division Of the Justice Department, revealed today that he was investi- gating charges Of collision in the procurement and awarding of con- tracts for parachutes for tho armed lorces.
 Darsey said his investigation was not concerned with the types of parachutes-either the three "re- lease point" chutes used by most American paratroopers, which have to be unlocked ct three places, or the one release point" chute used by the British. He said he
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-03-11
Quiz Man In
 Torch KiIIinq

Boston, March il--(UP)-A care taker who was questioned :: : months ago the still-unsolved torch staying of an S5-year-old Charlestown widow was booked by police early today on suspicion of the murder of Mrs, Alice Degnan Sheridan whose battered body was found Thursday in the backyard of the slain widows home.
 Police Capt. Louis Di Sessa said that the 60-year- old caretaker and handyman would Do re-queStioned concerning the staying of the elder ly widow, Mrs. Catherine Mckinley.
 The caretaker, whose name was withheld temporarily, was seized after three residents of the neigh borhood told police they had seen him at c Q. m. either Monday or Tuesday near the spot where Mrs. Sheridans body was found. The in- formants said they remembered the incident because the man was not supposed to begin work until g c. m.
 It was on Monday that Mrs. Shcr-
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The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-03-11
Rome Radio Says Planes Attacked

London, March ll-CUP)-The Rome radio said Allied planes at tackled Rome today.
 The enemy report of raid on Rome lacked immediate confirma- ton. If 1t Is borne out, 1t will mean the second attack on the capital in two days. American medium bomo- CTS raided Rome rail yards yester- daV
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-03-11
|Whot's A Fire
 |Amonq Friends?

MedfOrd, Mass, March H. (UP)-The local paper couldn't report today, In conventional fashion, that Mrs. Janet Fitch quietly" observed her 08th birthday.
 Mrs. Fitch was about tO cut her cake, with 90 other elderly residents of the city inflrmary as her guests, when fire broke out on the roof of the building.
 Undaunted. Mrs. Fitch car- ried her cake from the second to the first hOOr, where the party was held, aS scheduled, while ilremen battled the blaze above.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-03-11
$20,000 Fire Sweeps
 WoIthom, Mess. Block

Waltham, Mass, March li-(UP) Mine persons, including an elderly couple and two children, were driven 10 the street early today when q $20,0O0 fire swept a business and apartment block In the business district.
 Two patrolmen discovered the blaze in the three.story wooden building at Moody and Chestnut streets and assisted Thomas Oul- lette, 80, and his wife, Marguerite "A, from their top-fioor apartment.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-03-11
Covt. Probes Collusion M Parachute Contracts

did not know one chute from an. other and was not concerned with which was the best type.
 He declined to say who had made the allegations of collision or to reveal what companies or govern- tIlent agencies were involved. He indicated that tine investigation mad not been underway long.
 The parachute issue was raised this week by Drew Pearson in his newspaper column. He charged that In February, eight paratroopers at Camp Mackall, N. O., were dragged to Q horrible death by drowning be- cause they could not get free from
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The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-03-11
IDENTIFY VICTIMS

Medford, Mass, March ll--(UP) Police today identified as Mrs Margaret I. Holt, 62, of Medford Q woman who was injured fatally last night when she was struck by a Boston elevated railway street car at Tufts Square.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-03-11
U. s. Claims Presence Of Axis Officials Is A Threat To Yank Lives
BY JOHN REICHMANN United Press Staff Correspondent


  statement of this country that their presence Ireland constitutes danger to the whe the publication here exchange M
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-03-11

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The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-03-11

Home, Final Edition Late Sport News
 Late NeDs Flashes
The Nome nugget., 1944-04-12
REFINERY IS DEDICATED IN EDMONTON

EDMONTON, Alta, Apr 12.- AP)-The oil refinery built here y the U. S. army will be dedi- cated April 30th. The operation the refinery will be the final ink in the plan to supply oil to he coastal area of Alaska and Canada.
 The oil from Norman Wells, the oil fields in northwestern Can da, is piped 595 miles to the re- inery at Whitehorse. z
 The refined products can be distributed from Whitehorse by a network of pipelinesS to airports long the Alaska highSwsy, to the oast at Skagway for redistribu- ion, or to Fairbanks..,s:.
The Nome nugget., 1944-04-12
CASUALTIES
 ANNOUNCED BY MACARTHUR

ALLIED HEADQUARTERS IN THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC Apr. 12.-(AP)-Today, Gen. Mac Arthur announced the casualties for the New Britain campaign as totalling 1900, as against estimat- el enemy killed and wounded al ], O,Ooo. -.---.. .~ The report followed the an nouncement that the Japs were il full retreat to Rabaul for 8 . robable last stand on the island
 Destroyers moved into the har-
 or to shell Hansa Bay installa- tons and the Madang area.
 Two hundred American planes
 gain pounded Rabaul without position
The Nome nugget., 1944-04-12
CLEAR JAP INVADERS FROM METAL

NEW DELHI, India, Apr. 12.- (AP)-Allied forces fighting very hard, cleared the Jap invaders from Tmphal in Kohima on the Dimapur road and developed their operations to the point where the enemy pressure at Kohima has been decreased.
 Allied headquarters said, in a communique, that no important change has taken place in Kohi- ma, which guards 35 miles of the Dimapur road on the American operated Bengal Assam railroad.
 Jap snipers have already in filtrated along this route accord ing to a Tokyo broadcast. The Japs had previously blocked about l5 miles of the Imphal Kohima road, south of Imphal but the Allies have cleared out the last enemy road blocks in the Tamu Palel section of the highway, thus the troops fighting south of this area on the road to Tiddim had clear line to supply rein forcementS in the far nothern Burma area.
 American-Chinese drives to- ward Mytkyinas, which is the enemy's main base, made prog resS.
 The Chinese 38th Division pushed dowrvfs,e Mogabng Val ley and occupied the village of Tingring.
The Nome nugget., 1944-04-12
NAZIS LAUNCH SMALL ATTACK NEAR CASSINO

ALLIED HEADQUARTERS IN NAPLES, Apr. 12.-(AP1-The Germans launched a small attack against the allied troops who were defending the hill north of Cassi- no.
 They stepped up their tempo in their shelling and mortaring of the hill just behind the rubbed town.
 The attack was thrown back hard and allied guns answered the barrage with sharp fire.
 Their own headquarters an nounced that Castle Hill over. looking almost all of Cassino, has been a thorn in the side of the Germans and they have tried re- peatedly to take it. The Castle is now but a pile of rocks from the months Ot Shelllng.
 A small enemy party attempt ed a minor thrust three miles southwest of Carroceto, where two or three parties tried to cross the Moletta river near the coast but all of these thrusts were re pulsed.
 German guns continued to shell the rear ports and 12 planes made what is described as an in effectual raid on the port.
 Allied planes flew about HOG sorties yesterday, blasting raj yards, bridges, supply dumps rail, way stations and motor transport: in wide area in Italy.
The Nome nugget., 1944-04-12
ATC EVENTS E

Non- Commissioned z officers meeting Friday night.
The Nome nugget., 1944-04-12
WALLACE TO MAKE VISIT TO CHINA

WASHINGTON, Apr. .12.-(AP) -Vice-President Henry A. Wal ace announced unexpectedly that e expects to take a trip to China n the near future, and his aides aid he would probably go as an fficial representative of Presi- ent Roosevelt. ::
 The brief announcement gave o details, but started speculation s to whether he would be out of he country July 18th, when the Democratic convention: would con- vene, and whether he was paving he way for easing himself out of eing the running mate for Roose- welt, or if the trip was, to increase bis own prestige.
The Nome nugget., 1944-04-12
CITY COUNCIL MET MONDAY EVENING

The Nome City Council met in the City Hall last Monday with all members present.
 The Last Will and Testament of J. G. (Cappy) MacDougall, de ceased, was read for the reason that the trustees of the admins ,trator's~ have instituted i. a. suit against the City Of Nome and the Mayor in order to ascertain the
 xtent of their powers of execu- 1 tion in the distribution of the es- tate.
 | City Attorney C. C. Tanner ad- vised the council to enter court stay of execution, in order to hold off any action until the arrival of the attorney for the plaintiffs in Nome. The Council then turned over the proposition to the city attorney for follow-through.
 The resolution regarding the outcome of the municipal election held April 4th, was read and ap- proved.
 | A report on the volunteer fire rlen was read and an excerpt O the report was the inclusion of
 the entire City Council as mem- bers of the organization until the membership reaches the minimum allowed by the group insurance which covers members of the de- partment.
 ] To be discussed at the next meeting of the City Council will be the Health Department, which is under the supervision of An nette Kitzmiller, wife. of Ralph Kitzmiller, one of the councilmen.
 A discussion regarding the re- moval of the M. P Station on "E'' Street and West Third Avenue
 to a point outside the city limits also took place. The reason was stated that many of the citizens of Nome have been inconven- fenced by not having passes to the part of town in which they 
 reside or wish to visit or have. a right to be in on business.
 The meeting then adjourned.