«.1
15
. thrown out.
WHAT THEY SAY
EVERY EVENING WHEN THE
GAZETTE COMES, THERE IS A
SCRAMBLE FOR IT. WE DIVIDE
1T INTO FOUR 1 PARTS, AND
EACH OF US TAKE ONE.
vening
Zed e0
3
WHAT IT IHIIIIIATES.‘
THAT THE GAZETTE IS A HOMI'
PAPER. THAT THE GAZETTE 1:)
A NEWSY PAPER. THAT THE.
GAZETTE IS A CLEAN PAPER.
THAT EVERY PAGE OF THE
GAZETTE IS READ.
VOL. v11. NO.1644.
NORWALK, CONN., SATURDAY EVENING, JUNE 26,1897.
PRICE ONE CENT.
FRAGTUREB SKULL.
Charles, Johnson Beats His
Wife into ‘lnsensibility
and Escapes. ‘
The Couple Duarreled Over a Half Dollar
Which Johnson Wanted to Buy
Whisky With.
Charles Johnson, a colored waiter,
beat his wife into insensibility with a
large conch shell yesterday. The wom—
an now lies at the Bridgeport hospital
in a precarious condition and her death
may occur at any time.
Johnson has been employed at vari-
ous restaurants and hotels in Bridge-
port. Yesterday he was under the in-
fluence of liquor and consequently un-
r-ousu lly ugly. Mrs. Hopewell, his
mother-in-law, is a cook and works
whenever she can obtain engagements.
Yesterday she left the house at 10
o’clock, but before she went she gave
her daughter a halfa dollar with the
remark that she might need it. Mrs.
Johnson and her. six-months-old babe
were left in the house with the drunk-
en husband.
When Mrs. Hopewell returned to the
house at 4 o’clock she found the doors
locked and no one appeared in answer
to her repeated calls. She called
neighbors to her assistance and the
door was broken in. A blood curdling
sight met the old mother’s gaze, for ly-
ing on the floor in the middle of the
room was her daughter. Mrs. Johnson
was insensible and her head was cov-
ered with blood, which had coagulated
in her hair and spread out in a broad
puddle on the floor.
Near the woman lay a large conch
shell, covered with blood. The shell
had formed a part of the ornaments on
the mantel and was evidently the
weapon used in the murderous assualt
upon the woman. I
The emergency ambulance was im-
mediately called and Dr. Hair, finding
the woman in a desperate condition,
hastily dressed the woman’s wounds
and she was removed to the general
hospital, where she now lies hovering
between life and death.
The surgeons found 22 wounds on
the woman’s head and face, all made
with the sharp-edged shell. Her right
wrist was fractured and there was also '
a fracture of the skull.
The police were notified and immedi-
ately commenced a search for the hus-
band.
A little niece of Mrs. Johnson says
that the husband returned to the house
after a short absence and demanded
money of his wife, and that the couple
quarreled fiercely over the half dollar
left by Mrs. Hopewell. ~ When Mrs.
Johnson was found the pocket in her
dress was torn out and the half dollar
was missing.
The officers are hot on the trail of
Johnson, and he will probably be cap-
tured to-day. Every avenue of escape
has been guarded, and it will be impos-
sible for him to get far away without
apprehension.
This morning Mrs. Johnson had re-
gained consciousness, but is in a des-
perate condition.
KILLED IN A RUNAWAY.
Greenwich Woman Finds Lifeless Body of
Husband at Her Door.
William E. Chichester, a carpenter
employed by J. P Crosby, a contractor
on the New Indian Harbor Yacht Club
house at Indian Harbor, finished his
work Wednesday night and started to
drive to his home at Round Hill. He
was accompanied by a young man
whom he employed as a helper.
The two had several drinks apiece
and start for home was made about 11
o’clock. Chichester drove the horse, a
high-spirited animal. .
About a mile from Round Hill, the
horse bolted into a ditch and freed it-
self from the buggy. Both men were
Chichester had the reins
wound about his wrists. The horse
commenced to run, and Chichester, be-
ing unable to release himself, soon lost
his feet and was dragged helplessly.
His wife, who was alone at the house,
was aroused at midnight by the horse
neighing in the yard. Going to the
door, she found the animal standing
there and the lifeless body of her hus—
band lying behind it, the reins still
wound around the wrists, and worn
. through the skin.
The young man who had been with
him arrived a few minutes later and ex-
plained how the accident occurred.
A doctor was called and pronounced
Chichester dead. His neck had been
broken, one ear was torn off and his
head and body were terribly bruised.
OLEROLMAN OONE.
Rev. Father Coleman of Fair.
field Said to Have
Been Removed.
Has Not Been Seen in a Week and no One
Knows Where He Is.
Catholic circles in Fairfield are agi—
tated over the sudden disappearance
of. their paster, the Rev. Father Thomas
J. Coleman, who for several years has
been in charge of St. Thomas’ church.
Father Coleman has not been seen
since a week ago to-day and it was the
general impression about the town yes-
terday that he would not return again.
All sorts of stories are afloat among
the parishioners, some of them only
hinted at while others are expressed
more openly. Nothing, hOWever, is
known certainly of the reasons of Fa-
ther Coleman’s disappearance and the
very absence of any authoritative state-
ment gives rise to all manner of con-
jectures.
Bishop Tierney paid a flying visit to
Fairfield on Friday, June 18, a week
ago yesterday, and was closeted for
some time with Father Coleman. What
was said or done on that occasion is not
known, but it is believed that the priest
was removed from his charge.
On the following day, Saturday, Fa-
ther Coleman left the town and as
stated above, has not been seen since.
On Sunday, the Rev._ Joseph Ferron,
assistant at St. Anthony’s church of
Bridgeport, officiated in his place, but
made no reference to the cause of Dr.
Coleman’s absence. It was supposed
that Father Coleman was perhaps ill
or absent from town for a day or two,
and that in the natural course of events
he would soon return and take up his
charge as before. As the week went
by, however, and nothing was seen or
heard of him, his absence became the
absorbing topic of the town, and but
little elsewas being talked of yesterday.
Much interest attaches to the ser-
vices at the church to-morrow as it is
expected that some reference will be
made to the subject at that time.
JUST IN TIME.
Operation for Appendicitis Saves a Young
Man’s Life.
A young man named Otto Koehler of
South N orwalk, was taken suddenly ill
Thursday, and the symptoms were so
alarming that the family physician, Dr.
J. Dumortier, was summoned. The in-
dications pointed strongly to appendi-
citis and yesterday morning Dr.
Schavoir of Stamford was summoned in
consultation. An immediate operation
was decided upon, and was performed’ilx
by the tWO gentlemen named, assisted
by Dr. Sherer of South N orwalk. A
gangrenous appendix was removed,
and it proved that the operation had
been done just in time. At last reports
the patient was doing well, and his 11e-
covery is looked forward to confidently
by his attendants.
Bowayton’s Hero.
Mrs. I-Ians Gager of Rowayton went
out rowing upon the Sound Thursday
evening with her four small children.
The youngest child, two years old, fell
overboard. Mrs. Gager immediately
plunged in after it. She succeeded in
catching hold of the child with one
hand and clung to the boat with the
other. Charles Crockett, a fourteen-
year-old boy, heard her cries for help
and ran 250 feet across the meadows.
divesting himself of his clothing while
he ran, plunged in and swam to her as-
sistance. He rescued both mother and
child, and brought the boat with its
three other occupants to shore. Mrs.
Gager is still suffering from nervous
prostration and exhaustlon occasioned
by her plucky attempt to save her
child. The little one has fully recov-
ered from the effects of its plunge over-
board.
-———-——-——<O.-O>——-—-——
Figure of Merit.
The figures of merit for the month of
May are as follows: Second regiment,
96.71; first regiment, 93.29; third regi-
ment, 91.09; and the fourth regiment,
90.95; brigade signal corps, 96.54; ma-
chine gun battery, 98.91.
—Malaria'can Shake
and shackle the strongest constitution.
Riggs’ Malaria Cure can smite and
smother malaria. Will you take it in
time, 011 will you shake and ache and
feel twenty years older? The cure is
the same'then, only slower.
A ‘
GUILTY 0F MURDER!
so SAYS THE E
CASE OF AlcooEmo
IMAPASSINo.
'JURYIN'THE
THE CONDEMNED MAN EXPECTED A DIS-
AGREEMENT. ‘
WILL BE CONFINED IN THE
WILL BE
COUNTY IAIL UNTIL AFTER
MONDAY’S HEARING, WHEN SENTENCE
IMPDSED.
“Guilty of murder in the first degree”
was the verdict which fell from the
lips of the foreman of the jury in the
Superior cou11t,'-'criminal side, yesterday
afternoon, and banished all hope enter-
tained by Nicodemo Imapassino for es-
caping the penalty for slaying Carmelia
Fuda.
To those of our readers who have
followed the case the verdict was no
surprise. It was a surprise for the con—
demned man, however, for he confident-
ly expected that there would be a disa-
greement in the jury, and in that be
based his hope for escaping the hang-
1nan’s noose. The jury in the case,
however, had no doubts in the matter,
for it is understood that only three bal-
lots were necessary to determine the
nature of the finding to render.
It was 12:30 when the jury left their
seats to deliberate on the case of the
accused." In an hour and 56 minutes
the jury returned with the finding as
stated.
Immediately Attorney Chamberlain,
counsel for the defense, moved for an
arrest of judgment, asking at the same
time that the verdict be set aside and
that a new trial be granted on the
ground that jurymen had visited the
scene of the murder, contrary to the
instructions of the court.
was deferred and there will be a hear-
ing next Monday morning on the mo-
tion enter ed. There is little hope,
however, that there will be achange 1n
the situation, and it is believed that
Imapassino will suffer the death penalty
with his accomplice, Fuda, some time
in December.
It now transpires that the juror in
question isE. R. Barnum of Bethel, who
has at different times during the trial
passed the night with his daughter,
who is the wife of Principal Gumbart
of the East Norwalk school. On one of
these trips he visited the scene of the
murder and obtained information in a
way that is contrary to custom and the
instruction to jurors in such cases.
One of the jurors said yesterday that
Mr. Barnum had given his colleagues
the benefit of the investigations.
The concensus of opinion in the minds
of the reading public appears to be to,»
the effect that the verdict of the jury
was a just one and that the accused de-
serves to meet the fate that will un-
doubtedly. be pronounced upon him by
Judge Wheeler next week, that of
death.
From the nature of the evidence, it
had been the general impression that
Imapassino was the guiding spirit in
the plot to murder Mrs. Fuda, and that
Fuda, who is also sentenced to death
for the crime, was only a tool in' the
hands of Imapassino.
The closing scenes in‘the trial yes-
terday much resembled the situation
noted in the Fuda trial. Imapassino
when he heard the finding of the jury
shook like a leaf. It was plainly evi-
dent that he had anticipated a different
result.
The closing argument offered by
State’s Attorney Fessenden was char-
acteristically eloquent and convincing.
Judge Wheeler’s charge was a clear
explanation of the various degrees of
murder. He stated what the law is
and the claims made by both the state
and the defense in the case. The jury-
men sent once to the court for further
instructions when deliberating on the
guilt of the prisoner. Imapassino, who
is a diminutive, nervous individual, al-
most collapsed as he heard the verdict,
understandiug English sufficiently to
grasp immediately the import of what
the foreman’of the jury returned in his
finding.
-Aavernse in the GAZETTE.
At the jail last night Imapassino ap-
Sentence _
peared to be indifferent to the situa-
tion. He was nervous, nevertheless,
and while he pretended to the attaches
of the institution that he was not dis-
appointed in the verdict, he paced his
cell nervously and showed other signs
that he had anticipated a much differ-
ent result in the case. He will be con-
fined in the jail until after Monday’s
hearing, when sentence will probably
be imposed on him, after which he will
be removed to Wethersfield.
I F. L. BUTLER INJURED.
The Danbury Representative Falls From a
Trolley Car.
Representative F. L. Butler of Dan-
bury, fell from a trolley car at the
:Bridgeport depot yesterday and sus-
tainted slight internal injuries and
. some body bruises.
He was on his way to East Bridge-
port and in getting on the car, which
was moving, fell backwards to the stone
pavement. He was unconscious for a
few moments and the ambulance which
was called, at his own request, con-
veyed him to the general hospital. He
is not seriously injured, but will remain
there a few days.
He Feels Just as Young.
Col. Fred. St. John Lockwood, of
N orwalk, visited this place on Tuesday,
looking somewhat older than when he
was in Westport, about 1860, as fore-
man of Phoenix hand engine company,
when that organization was trying
their strength at the brakes, with the
members of Compo Engine company, of
this place, commanded by John S.
Jones, as foreman. The N orwalk com—
pany was assisted by Lady Washington
Engine Co., of New York, while the
Gulf Stream Engine Co., of Stamford
did like service for Compo’s boys.—
. Westporter.
AV v 7‘
A War of Words.
There was quite a war of words yes-
terday, between MIS. George Hazlett,
nee Katie Burns, and Mrs. M Fitz-
maurice, near the Electric Light sta-
tion, in which some hard names were
called. Both women were anxious to
have the other arrested to-day, but no
warrant has been obtained. '
Unclaimed.
The following letters remain un-
claimed at the Norwalk post office,
June26, 1897:
DMaster Rob Carter, Mrs James S.
Dennis, Mrs. L. O’B1ien, D11. Martha
Wightman.
w. H. MALONE, P. M.
er
State Claims Strong Case.
No further developments in the
Greenwich murder case have come to
light- The state claims to have a
strong case against William Sidney,
who was arrested for the crime.
—-————<o.o>———
No Money In It.
_ James T. Johnson has returned to
Governor Cooke, his appointment as
harbor master at Stamford. He has
held the office for three years. There
is no money in it, and some work.
‘ 7
“Dutch Charley says he had a fine time
“scooting the scoots” at Coney Island
with George Allen.
A hearing for the appointment of
commissioners on the Goldberg estate
will be had at the Probate office on
July
WILL NOT USE THEM.
Beckerle & co. Will Return
the Union Labels.
Danbury Hat Finishers’ and Makers’ As-
sociations Vote to Impeach President
Barrett.
—+——
The officers of the United Hatters of
North America visited Beckerle &. Co. ’8
office in Danbury yesterday morning, ~
with the intention of taking away the
supply of union labels sent to the fac-
tory by President Barrett, after he de-
clared it unionized.
Mr. Beckerle was absent, and the
other members of the firm did not like
to‘ give up the label, until he was pres-
ent. They showed the national officers,
that the labels were still in the original
package, and had not been touched.
The visitors were also assured that the
labels would not be used, and would be
given up if M11. Beckerle had no ob-
jections. "
One of the national officers, in an in-
terview stated that no difficulty was
apprehended bythe official board, con-
cerning the recovery of the label, as it
appeared evident that the firm desired
to act fair in the matter.
At a meeting of the Hat Finishers’
and Makers’ Association, held Thur s-
day night 11 esolutions wer e passed call-
ing for the impeachment Of President
Edward Barrett and his removal from
office.
NEchAIIAAN.
Mrs. James Leonard of Port Chester,
is visiting her father Patrick Smith.
Miss Celeste Gentieu of Wilmington,
Del., is visiting her uncle, Francis E.
Weed.
Mrs. John P. Seymour and daughter
Elsie, of Ridgefield, are visiting at F.
E. Wéed’s. -
Miss Lucy J. Goddard of Derring,
Maine, is visiting her sister, Mrs. H.
M. Woundy.
Mrs. Michael Coleman is visiting in
Boutonville with relatives for a couple
of weeks. '
F. '1. Jones and wife, of Norwalk, are
the guests of M11. and Mrs. J. G.
Thatcher.
Capt. Allen V. Reed, of the United
State Navy, with his family, have re—
cently taken possession of the Peter
Mead farm, one-half mile south of the
borough. This place was purchased
last fall, but the family passed the win-
ter in the Bahamas.
Miss E. Colwell, of New York, has
rented the summer residence of the
late Thomas White, on Oenoke avenue,
for the season.
J e1 emiah Miller has been appointed
freight and passenger agent at Spr' 1ng-
dale.
Messrs. Stebb and Adams, of the
Norwalk Electric Light Company, were
in town Tuesday, conferring with some
of the Borough officers in regard to
furnishing this borough with electrici-
ty. No definite steps were taken.
Mrs. O. W. Raymond, wife of ex-
Selectman Raymond of Norwalk, is
visiting at Miss Mary Raymond’s,
Railroad avenue.
Children’s Day exercises of the Bap-
tist chur ch will take place Sunday
evening at 7: 30. A pleasing program
has been arranged and all are cordially
invited.
M11. and Mrs. Charles? Schmidt at-
tended the funeral of J. H. Bennett,
$11., at Danbury on Tuesday.
. John M. Dixon, a prominent New
York broker, has rented the E. F.
Ayers residence on Seminary Street.
He will take possession July 1.
A-_
EAST NORWALK.
Work on the cellar of A. Stull’s new
store is progressing rapidly. The foun-
dation will soon be ready.
Platt Beer’s new cottage on Cottage
avenue is nearing completion and will
soon be ready for its occupants.
The residence of Herbert V. Carr is
greatly improved by its new coat of
paint.
{-4 ‘
No Decision.
Judge Wheeler yesterday heard the
case of the Westport Savings Bank
against William T. Wood and others
for the foreclosure of a blanket mort-
gage of $9,000, but no decision was ren-
dered.
—FTre WoTKs.
The best place 1n town to get your
fireworks is at J. T. Hayes 5 Main
street, Nor walk. Prices the lowest.
VOTED-THE MONEY.
The Union School District Ap-
propriates $28,000 for
an Additional school
Building. 1
South Norwalk .To Have a Beautiful Ediflce
on Franklin Street.
A special meeting of the Union School
district was held last night, in the
Franklin street school hall, and a vote
taken on the advisability of erecting
an addition to the present Franklin
street building.
There was a large attendance of
voters, among the audience being sev-
eral ladies.
E. A. Woodward acted as chairman,
and the meeting was quite lively at.
times. The opposition came from Mr.
C. Swartz, who wanted delay, and Mr.
S. C. Palmer on general principles.
Messrs. Light and Blanchard did the
speech maklng for the addition and
were successful in carrying their point.
An appropriation of $28,000 was voted,
$25,000 for a brick addition to the pres-
ent Franklin street building, and $3,-
000 for placing the latter in proper sad."-
itary condition respecting heat and
light.
The new addition will be an eight
room brick building built on the front
and connected with the Franklin street
school house, after 'plans prepared by
Architect Briggs, of Bridgeport, who
drew the plans for ex-Senator Ferris’
handsome residence on West street.
When the building is completed
South Norwalk will have -as handsOme
aschool house as can be found any-
where.
FOOT AND INCH SUPPER.
A Delightful Evening with the Epworth
League. '
The Foot and Inch Supper held in the
Methodist church last evening under
the auspices of the Epworth League
was one of the most unique affairs of
the kind ever held in Norwalk.
The prices of'admission were regu-
lated according to the height of each
individual and a goodly sum was
realized. The supper arrangements
were under the efficient care of Fletch-
e1 Van Hoosear who acted as steward,
and a corps of equally good assistants.
Following the supper a musical ente1-
tertainment was given.
Among those who took part were:
The Twin City Mandolin club; a quar-
- tette composed of Fred Force, G. H.
Hirst. E. H. Morehouse and M. L.
Warren, and C. S. Greenwood. The
church was handsomely decorated with
flowers, this being under the care of
H. B. Spencer, and presented a very
beautiful appearance.
MARRIAGES.
PROVOST — SEARLES. — In Stamford,
June 24, Frank E., son of M11. and Mrs.
Chauncey Provost and Miss Edith B.,
daughter of Mrs. Martin V. Searles
both of Stamford.
' FINKLE— SHULTIS. — In Huntsville,
June 16, Grant Finkle of Falls Village,
and Miss Emma Shults.
HOWD—OLMSTEAD. — In Thomaston,
June 23, Frank E. Howd and Miss ,Lil-
lian Olmstead.
JEWISS— BLAKESLEE. — In Tor11ng-
ton, June 23, Edward W. Jewiss and
Martha J. Blakeslee.
LITTLE—SMITH—At Salisbury, June
16, Robert Little and Miss Caroline
Smith.
SHLOFF—BERGER. ——In Danbury, June
24, by Rev. W. A. Fisher. August
Emil yShloff and Miss Etelka Eva Berg-
er both of Danbur.y
DEATHS.
SIEBERT—In Bridgeport, June 24,
Conrad Siebert, aged 60 years.
PETRUSCHELL—In Bridgeport, June
24, Marie Louise, infant daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. L. G. Petruschell, aged 5
months.‘
CONNELLY—In Bridgeport, June 24,
Mrs. Catherine Connelly, aged 80 years.
HARRIS—In South Norwalk, June 25,
Harriet Harris, aged 87 years.
BADER. ~—In Bridgeport. June 24,
Louis C. Bader, aged 45 years.
CAHILL. —In this city, June 25,
Thomas D. Cahill, aged 53 years.
HOTCHKIss.——In Sharon, June 18,
Mrs. Frederick Hotchkiss, aged about '
68 years.
GEARIN. —In Torrington, June 23,
Mrs. Jeremiah Gear 1n.
HENDRIE. —In New York, June 23,
Clinton, son of Charles Hendrie of
Stamford. -
LOCKWOOD. —In Redlands, Cal., June
23, Dr. William Wilson LockWood,
aged 34 years.
Norwalk Chronicler