Founded, in 1800.] , A n Entertaining and Instructive Home J eternal, Especially Devoted to Local JVews and. Interests. [$1.00 5 Yea VOL. XCVIlr-NO 48 NORWALK CONN.. FRIDAY. NOVEMBER 26. 1891—12 PAGES.- PRICE TWO CENTS _— WDBK OF THE FLAMES. in _ExPLoSIon or MS mm A rm: IN THE new BANK BUILDING. , EAST NORWALK ‘ALSD VlSi-TED. Manvm BROTHERS’ BIC. BARN wiTH THIRTY TONS or HAY ENTIRELY consumzn. There was an explosion followed by I i in excess of $100. a fire in- South Norwalk, about 5 o’clock, Wednesday afternoon, that threatened the life of at least one man.‘ It oc- curred at the new bank building on Washington street. _ A steam fitter em eloyed by the Richardson 8: Morgan Co. was engaged in making some changes in the piping of the building. and in order to the better see the work he had to do was using a lighted candle. , He went into the toilet room for the purpose of fixing one of the pipes and . detected an odor of leaking gas, but had scarcely time to realize the fact before there was an explosion, and he was nearly ,hurled off his feet. As suddenly as the shock a flame of fire darted up and threatened the de- struction of the building. . President Rowan and Cashier Layton of the City National bank were on the floor below adjusting the combination of the vault locks and heard the explo- ‘ sion. They lost no time in reaching the scene, and made an apparently success- ful attempt to subdue the flames which threatened to destroy the building. Soon after the fire broke out again, and an alarm was rung in from fire- alarm box No. 3, which was responded to by the department, but before the 7'fi remen’s arrival the blaze had been ex- tinguished, and this time effectually. Later the gas supply pipe was cut off at a point in the cellar and a plug put in the same. Thorough repairs will be made before the connection is again made. The damage done was principally to the walls and ceiling and it is not thought that the damage done will be The most remarkable part of the oc.- currence is that the man who was mak- ing the repairs escaped serious injury if not the loss of his life. EAST NORVVALK VISITED. I , The eastern sky was brilliantly illu- mined last night, and attracted much attention as well as causing‘surmlses as to the cause; These surmises were not shared by the residents of East Norwalk, who had a knowledge of the fact that it was caused by the burning of the large barn known as the Fitch Raymond barn, located on East avenue, and owned by the Marvin Brothers. It was used for the storage of hay, and at the time of the fire contained over thirty tons of the same. An alarm of. fire was sounded and the East N orwalk fire department re- sponded, but when they reached the. scene there was little that could be done to save the barn and its contents and they were entirely consumed. Nevertheless the fire laddies got a stream on the fire and after some hours hard work succeeded in extinguishing the last vestige of the same. Itis said that two men were seen running from the barn soon after the fire broke out, which leads to the be- lief that it was of incendiary origin. This is the second barn that has been destroyed by fire in East Norwalk within a few days. i . It may be that the noted barn burner of a few years ago is again carrying on his devilish work in town. The Marvin Brothers had an insur- ance of $200 on the barn and $200 on its contents, in the Pacific company through the agency of O. E. Wilson. Thanksgiving Notes. Mr. and Mrs. James Paul, of Grove street, held a family reunion at their home yesterday and entertained Mr. and Mrs. Eben- Husted, Mrs. Mary Paul, Miss Sarah Paul and City Mar- shal John E. Paul. Sixty pounds of poultry were served at the Town Farm yesterday. , Hon. John H. Ferris spent the day with his daughter at Auburndale. Miss Nellie Elle of Waterbury spent Thanksgiving at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Ells on Camp Street. Mr. and Mia. W. F. Bryant and daughter Agnes, of East avenue, spent Thanksgiving with Mr. and Mrs. Burr Mills, of Georgetown. Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Hanford, of Cam- den, N. J., spent Thanksgivmg with Judge A. B. Woodward and family, of Elm street. . Jacob Turk of New York spent the day with friends in town. Mrs, P. L. Anderson, Miss MIE. Il‘readwell and Mr. and Mrs. Charles - H. Booth, of New Milford, were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Treadwell, of North avenue, over Thanksgiving. C. J. Sherwood and wife, of Hanford place, spent Thanksgiving at the home of Mr. Sherwood’s‘ brother, in the Middle River District, Danbury. -Dr. Willie H. CrovVe, of New Haven, spent Thanksgiving with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Crowe, of West avenue. . El Mrs. Laura Green, of Meriden spent ' the day with her brother, Charles F. . Loomis of this city. Miss Eva Taylor of Danbury,'is visit- ing relatives on Orchard street. Harry Camp spent the day with rela- tives in New Haven. ' ‘ curable. _ Harry Mitchell attended the theatre and ate turkey in New York yesterday. Charles F. Loomis, J r., and family of Waterbury, were the guests of Charles F. Loomis on Belden avenue. Mrs. William C. Pond of San Fran- cisco, is the guest of Rev. and Mrs. T. K. Noble. Mrs. Pond is the wife of Rev. William C. Pond, D. D., pastor of the Bethany Congregational church, in San Francisco. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob M. Layton and family spent Thanksgiving with rela- tives in South Orange, N. J. Victor Sherwood spent Thanksgiv-l ing week with Howard Hegel-man, of Brooklyn. . _ H. H. Smith spent Thanksgiving with—his daughter in Brooklyn. . The pupils at Miss Baird’s young la- dies’ school are taking their usual Thanksgiving vacation. AA‘ ‘v' Thanksgiving, Ninety-Seven. Thank Thee, 0 God, who didst brdain THE TA_)l_RlElURNS. _ No Change in Valuation of Con- solidated Railroad Stock. Norwalk Street Railway and Tramway Stock Valued at $l8.75 and $7.50 Respectively. The state board of equalization 'com- pleted yesterday its examination of the returns for taxation of steam railroads and street railroads. The board made no change in the valuation of the stock of the New York, New Haven 8:. Hart- ford Railroad from the returns submit- ted, 3175~ per share, and none of the steam roads’ returns were increased over the valuation made by the roads. Twenty roads in all, principally street railways, were notified to appear and explain their returns. The South Man- chester Railroad Company did not place any valuation . on its stock and the board made it the same as last year. The valuation of- the stock per share of each road for taxation was placed by the board as follows :— STEAM ROADS. Boston & New York Air Line, 8 76.80 Danbury 8; Norwalk, 48.00 Hartford & Conn. Western, 20.00 Housatonic, 24.00 Naugatuck, 217.00 New England, com., $5; pref. 69.50 New Haven & Derby, 59.00 New Haven & N orthampton, 76.00 New London Northern, 175.00 N. Y., N. H. & H., 175.00 Norwich & Worcester, 170.00 Rockville, Shepaug, Litchfield & Northern, South Manchester. . STREET RAILWAYS. Bridgeport Traction Co., 3 14.00 Bristol & Plainville Tramway Co. , 50.00 Central Railway & Electric Co., 6.00 Danbury & Bethel Horse R. R. Co., 5.00 Derby Street Railway Co., pref. 5.00 Fair Haven & Westville R. R. Co. . 40.00 .Hartford Street RailWay Co., 175.00 Hfd. & W. Hfd. Horse R. R. Co., 1.00 com., 31: pref, 100.00 5.00 40.00 Middletown Street Railway Co., 2.50 New Haven Street R. R. Co., 18.00 New London Street Railway Co., 80.00 Norwalk Street Railway Co., 18.75 NOrwalk Tramway Co., 7.50 Norwich Street Railway Co., 70.00 Waterbury Traction Co., 50.00 Westpt. & Saugatuck St. R. R. Co., 5.00 West Shore Railway Co., 5.00 Winchester Avenue R. R. Co., 25.00 Newington Tramway Co., 1.00 Enfield & Longmeadow Elec. R. Co., 5.00 Portland Street Railway Co., 5.00 Shelton Street Railway Co., ‘ 2.50 Torrington & Winchester, 5.00 The compatation of the taxes which will be paid by the railroads, steam and street, this year, shows an increase of $46,066.83 over 1896, as follows:— 1896. . ,_ Steam railroads, _. $874,436.95 Street railways, 120,559.00 Total, $994,995.95 ; 1897. - Steam railroads, $910,137.50 Street railways, 130,925.28 Total, $1,041,062.78 ,Increase in taxes of steam and street .' railways over 1896, $46,066.83; steam, . $35,700. 55; street, $10,366.28. A A‘ 1 Seven Turkeys Awaiting Claimants. Thirteen of the turkeys given away at the Boston Store were called for and delivered for Thanksgiving dinners. l The following seven are waiting for ‘ the holders of the duplicate checks: No. 1; book 29, received $1.00; veil , 37c; red No. 31. 7 No. 1; Nov. 22, 1897; book 20; re- lceived $2.00; 6 plaids 1211—750; red No. The bounteous crops that nature 4L yields, ‘Who gave to earth the sun and rain, And blessed the workers in the fields! Our barns are filled with golden stores, The happy land’s astir with health, The world’s a-begging at our doors To share in this imperial wealth. We bring, O Lord, with willing hand, The fruit of love und labor’s gain, The gift that rises from the land, “ The growth of valley, hill, and plain. . ‘ -—N. Y. Sun. ——-——<0»——~~~——— ' Half Fare Tickets. On the occasion of the Epworth league convention in Norwalk' next Tuesday, half fare tickets one way from all points on the Consolidated road will be pro- \ . . ,Book 16; received $5.00; 1 cap 31; red number 45. — . ' No. 1; book 22; Nov. 24, ’97; 1 calico 5; received 10; red number 42. I‘ Book 22; received 82.05; 6 buts 121}— 75, 12 cotton 9—1.08, 1 rem’t .20——8203; red number 11. . _ Book 23; Nov. 24; received 81.00; . drawers 29, hose 25—.540; red number :49. ' . Book 23; Nov. 24; received $2.00.; drawers 50; hose 26—.75c; red number 13. I Book 19; 11—24: 1 sweater 12; .red I number 27: ‘ . ~ A‘ bad break in the water main near Isaacs street has been placed inlrggair, 3‘s. I isu‘nom DEATH. Mrs. Lorena—dams Found Dead at Her Home Near Water Street. 0 Her Youngest Daughter the First to Make the Frightful Discovery. At about 8 o’clock yesterday morn- ing, it was reported that Mrs. Lorenzo Adams had been found dead at her home near what is known as the “Long Building” on Water street. ' The news reached the ears of Chief Bradley and. an investigation proved the report to be true. When discovered Mrs. Adams lay on the floor clad in her night-clothes, with 'a quilt partially wrapped about her, her head resting close to the bed. She was dead. ‘ ‘ The Chief notified Coroner Burke but it was afternoon before he arrived, and after giving his verdict the bod y was placed under charge of funeral di- rector Raymond. The stories regarding the affair are in some respects conflicting but the one in which greater credence can appar- . ently be placed is the following: Mrs. Adams for some months past had complained of rheumatic pains. In order to allay the same it is said that she indulged in alcoholic stimulants. Her complaint within a few days as- sumed a more acute form, until on W’ednesday, she became worse and was confined to her bed. The last to see her alive was her -- " seven year old daughter Ella who found her mother lying on the floor between 12 and 1 o’clock and asked her to re- ‘turn to ‘bed. She refused to do so. The little girl thought no more of he matter until the next morning when some. one called yto borrow a vwashboard, and'the‘little girl replied by saying “I’ll ask mamma,” and suit- ing her action to the word went into the room, and receiving no response to her question, “Mamma, will you let Mrs. M— take your washboard? ” went up to her and gave her a shake, and then frantically rushed out of the room, crying “I believe my poor mam- ma is dead.” I The caller then went.into the room and found that the fears of the child were true. I The husband of the deceased who has ' been at work in‘Stamford fer a few weeks, was advised of her death by telegraph and reached here yesterday afternoon. ' The two have been estranged for sometime and now death comes and breaks the tie. forever. Mrs. Adams maiden name was Mag- gie Fagan, and she lived in Elizabeth, n. J. She leaves. four children, the eldest about 18 years of age. The funeral will be held to-morrow morning. ____.__....._._____ Co. F. Won. In. the basket ball match at the Ar- mory Wednesday night, between Co. F and a Stamford team, the former won after a lively tussle. The annual socia- ble of the company followed and it was Thanksgiving morn when the dahcing' ended. _ -‘-—————‘o.oD--e—-—————- Birthday Anniversary. Master Harold Rundle celebrated his ninth-birthday at his home in East ' Norwalk, Wednesday afternoon and evening by giving a party to a few of his young friends. Games’ were in- dulged in, refreshments served, and thef‘youngsters had a jolly good time. AAA— 7 Dr. Sweet’s Widow. Mrs. Laura A. Sweet, 87 years old, the widow of Dr. Charles Sweet of Le- banon, the noted bone setter, died in Hartford yesterday. She was born in Lyme in January, 1810 and was the third wife of Dr. Sweet. AA“ ‘vr‘ A large audience attended Billy Barry’s production of “The Rising Generation” at Hoyt’s Theatre Wed- nesday night. ‘The play was greatly enjoyed as was evinced by the generous applause. - signed to better himself. TOLD [iii BISHOP. Complaint Made About Well Known Society Girls as Minstrels. Something of a Sensation Created by a Show in Mt. Vernon. The “Snowdrops”——so the girl min- strels call themselves—~rc-appeared at the Mount Vernon Opera House Wed- nesday night and were given a rousing reception. The “Snowdrops” were organized by Herbert Wilson and Ralph E. Briggs. Mr. Wilson was then the organist of Trinity Episcopal church, and the girls appeared in burnt cork for the benefit of the organ fund of that church. The show was given on two nights and drew large audiences. This was partly due to the gossip before the show, which said some of the girls would appear in short skirts and others in tights. The girls all appeared in skirts of ordinary bicycle length. Miss Hattie Loomis and Miss Anna Loomis, daughters of the president of the local bank; Miss Evelyn Graham, daughter of S. T. Graham, rector of Trinity church, and Miss Blanche Martin were the “bones” and “tam- bos,” while Miss Mary Lewis acted as interlocutor. The chorus was made up of girls socially prominent. After the second performance some one wrote to Bishop Potter denounc- ing the show as indecent and enclosed a fanciful sketch that had appeared in a sensational paper. Bishop Potter wrote to Trinity’s rector, asking if the report given him of the performance had any foundation, and saying if it had he would not allow Mr. Graham to accept the money earned by the show for the organ fund. Mr. Graham re- plied that the performance was perfect- ‘ly chaste, and cited the fact that his daughter was one of the participants in proof of the statement. Nothing further was heard from Bishop Potter on the subject. The Rev. E. T. Flynn, of the Roman Catholic church of the Sacred Heart, engaged Messrs. Wil‘ son and Briggs to give a similar min- strel performance for the benefit of his church. Many of the min’strel girls, however, shrank from again facinga storm of gossip, but Miss Blanche Mar- ‘tin stamped her pretty foot and de- clared she would appear a hundred times “in the fa'ceof those absurd peo- ple” if necessary. . The fathers of Miss Loomis and Miss Graham refused to allow their daugh- ters to re-appear. Mr. Graham said that as it.was the affair of another church he thought the talent should be gathered from Father Flynn’s con- gregation. Mr. Wilson found no difficulty in ac- complishing this, and at Wednesday night’s performance a full complement ofjgirls made up the circle. Miss Gus- sie Gahle was “Queen Lil,” the inter- locutor, and Miss Blanche Martin and Miss Lillian Curtis “end men.” Her- bert Wilson and Charles Somerville were made up as 'chaperons and were introduced by “Queen Lil” to “appease the gossips.” The chaperons were armed with tape measures, and proceeded to judge of the distance between the girls’ shoe tops and their skirts. ed to the audience as being “only eight inches.” The performance consisted of songs and jokes, comedy sketches and a cake walk. Father Flynn ex- pressed his entire satisfaction with the performance. I‘his was report- 'Mr. Wilson has resigned as organist 'of Trinity, but both he and the Rev. Mr. Graham deny that the “Snowdrops” performance had anything to do with his action. Mr. Wilson said he re- ' Rev. Mr. Graham and daughter are well known in Norwalk, Mr. Graham having been rector of St. Paul’s church a few years ago. . _ —-—-———‘0.0D———————— ' -—Advertise in THE GAZETTE. . '3 _ s x .k . DECK "AM! KILLED. JamesCourtney of the Rose- dale Struck by a Train. I Stepped in Front of an Engine on a Bridge- port Crossing. James Courtney, a deckhand on the steamer Rosedale, was run over at the Fairfield avenue crossing, in Bridge- port at 10:15 last night. He was taken to the hospital where he died at 11:25. Courtney spent the afternoon at Sea- side park watching the football games with his friends, of whom he had many. He returned to the docks at the foot of Fairfield avenue, spending theevening in and around the boat. Just as the 10:13 train was pulling out from the depot, Courtney stepped from behind the wharf shed to go across to Water 0 street and was struck. Just how he i was hit is not known, but he must have stepped right in front of the engine. He was picked up at once and the ambulance was called which took him to the general hospital. Surgeon Hair, who was with the ambulance. saw at His left leg was cut of"? above the knee, his right leg was cut off at the knee and his left arm was out off just below the elbow. A scalp wound was also inflict- once that the man could not live. ed, running from the center of the fore- head straight back. The limbs were not cut off, but] literally ground off, making it impossible to do anything for the sufferer. Surgeon Hair could only give the man stimulants and get him.to the hospital as quickly as possible, where he died; The only clue as to who the man was wasfound on the fly leaf of a prayer book which was in his pock- et, upon which the name “Courtney” The last issue of the Re- public a Boston paper, was in the man’s pocket and addre5sed to Michael Shee- han, 366 Water street. Mr. Sheehan said he knew the man ‘well, and said he was written. had seen Courtney twice yesterday- He said Courtney was not a drinking man and he was sure he was not drunk yesterday. The deceased was born in Glanoorth, County Cork, Ireland about 28 years ago. His brother, Ed. Courtney, is a police detective and is located at one of the up-town police stations in New York. " -——-————~~ ~~<o.o>—- The Weather. Rain to-night, rain or snow Saturday, cooler Saturday. DEATHS. ADAMS—In Norwalk, Nov. 25, Mar- garet, wife of Lorenzo Adams, aged 38 years. BAIN.——In Fairfield Woods, Nov. 25, James L., son of James and Maggie Bain, aged 2 years. CUDDY.—-In Stamford, November 20, Mrs. Cornelius Cuddy, aged 60 years. DOHERTY—In Bridgeport, Nov. 22, Jennie, wife‘of James ‘Doherty. DEVANEY.‘—In Bridgeport, Novem- ber 20, John Devaney, aged 70 years. GORHAM.—In New York,-at the Al ban y, 5lst street and Broadway, Nov. 21, Sarah J., widow of James H. Gor~ ham, in the 81st year of her age, for- merly of Stamford. GRUMMAN—In N orwalk, Nov. 23, Nora, wife of George S. Grumman, aged 34 years. \- HILL—In. Danbury, Nov. 21, Morris S. Hill, aged 51 years and 9 days. HUNT.— -In Bridgeport, November 21, Margaret, widow of the late George W. Hunt, aged 75 years. J OHNSTON—In Stamford, Nov. 23, Elizabeth Johnston, aged 65 years. JENNINGS—In Greenfield Hill, Nov. 20th, Mary, wife of George Jennings, aged 44 years. MCQUILLAM.—In 'Winnipauk, Nov. 22, William McQuillam, aged 10 years. OSBORNE—In Bellport, L. I., Nov. 22, Maria, widow of David Osborne, ' aged 86 years. , SKINNER.—In Bridgeport. Nov. 21, Charles W. Skinner, 'aged 58 years. SEYMOURZ—In Norwalk, Tuesday, Nov. 23, Harriet Seymour, second daughter of the late James Seymour. TOMLINSON—In Bridgeport, Nov. 22, Ella 0., wife of 'Walker’ S. Tomliuson, aged 38 years. VANRIPER—In Danbury, Nov. 21, ' Daniel R. VanRipe‘r, aged 53 years. WAHL.—-In Bridgeport, Nov. 20th, Albert. T., beloved son of Augusta E. , and the late John Wahl, aged 17 years. HS.
Norwalk Chronicler