' notap arent
. 9‘ If you’vvaht thefts-est
goods for the least money
read the advertisements
in the Gazette.
Venin
.. e' Recogmaed as th
famin paperthe'cazotte
‘ .‘adv'erti‘slIIg columns will
-prove its value to you. "
VOL. VIII. _No.1796 NORWALK, CONN., WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 2.1898. PRICE oNE‘CENT. '
v
TOWNMEETINGTD-NIGHT
TO BE HELD IH THE HOHWALK DPEIlI HDIISE 8 D’CLDCK
SHARP.
WIILL 111153;
BE HIGHER?
3
AN EIGHT MILL .TAX MAY BE REQUIRED IF THE NEW
TOWN HOUSE SCHEME SUCCEEDS.
The annual business meeting of
the town has been called to be held
in the Norwalk Opera House, at 8
o ’clock to- night.
The most important question to
come before the meeting is that of
building a new town hall on the site
of the old building, and if so voted,
to make the necessary appropriation,
and provide the means of raising the
money.
This is a serious matter for both
the large and small tax payers to
consider, and more especially so for
those who do not own their own
homes but are renting the houses in
which they and their little families
reside.
At the last annual meeting atax of
5 mills was laid, but this was not
suflicient and the selectmen were re-
. quired to borrow a large sum of
money to meet town expenses, so
that at to night’ s meeting an attempt
may be made to lay a tax of 7 mills,
’an increase of 2 mills over last"
Nor is this all that is liable
Should the erection of a
year.
to occur.
new town hall be ordered, a further
increase will be necessary to pay for
its construction, and the tax-payers
need not be surprised to find 8 mills
charged up agamst them.
Such an increase would be a great
hardship upon all, as there are very
few who are able in the present hard
times to stand additional taxation,
and while the wealthier people can
better meet such an increase, a raise
in rents to cover the additional ex-
pense is not an improbability. There-
fore, as we have said before, the man
wh ois obliged’to lent would be the
one upon whom the heaviest burden
will fall.
The Gszn‘rre was always in favor
of a new town house and has advocat
ed its erection for years. But when
we, advocated a new town house,
times were prosperous: Our mills
and, factories were running on full
time, our laboring men were all em-
ployed and our merchants well to
do and plosperous. V '
Times are (hanged now. Our
factories are not‘ running as then
and our streets are filled with idle
men, while our merthants are com
plaining of the lack of business
The. ef01 e, the GAZETTE is strong ly
opposed to a new town house at this
tim . or to any other unnecessary
' expense, and we are sure a majority
of the tax payers of Norwalk are of
the same opini 1n.
Why the building of anew town
house has been so suddenly sprung
upon the publl we are at a loss to~
und rstand. 'I e failure of one so-
lectman to sign his name to the
call for the meeting, would indicate
that there is not unanimity among
the selectmen .upon the question.
" Who, then, is responmble for this
sudden desire to run the town deep-
erintn d-bt‘? We all know who is
the chieflugleman. but his motive is
Perhaps that will be
discIOsed luter. ‘
A hu and cry hiis been raised that
the (2111. ens of south Nelwalk are to
attend to night’s meeting and vote '
. against the p1oject. and simply be-
‘ cause the new bul- ding 1s not to- be
All
ocated 1n their city. This Is a good
cry for the "schemers" to raise in the
hope of raising the “sectional feel-
ing” and assist ih bringing out a
crowd to down South Norwalk; but
will such a questionable statement
bear the light of day?
It 13 known to every one who has
followed the trend of local events.
that the question of consolidating
Norwalk and South Norwalk into
one city is a thing of the past. It
will never be 'done with the consent
of both sections, nor will the idea
that one end of the town is tr. ing to
best the other end ever be buried.
With such a condition prevailing
there is only one thing that can hap-
pen, and that is a division of Nor
walk and South Norwalk into two
separate towns. This is bound to
come sooner or later.
Why then should. South Norwalk
take the trouble to attend to-night's
meeting ? She has nothing to lose.
for when the division comes this end
alone will have the cost 'of the pro!
posed new town house ,to pay. This
fact alone makes the “schemers’ ” cry
appear ridiculous.
The projectors of the “scheme, ”
through their fugleman have gven
it out that the cost of the new
structure will amount to only $50.-
000. Who ever heard of a public"
building being built for the exact
estimated co. 1; ? We doubt not that
before its completion it will require
$100,000 to pay the expense.
Another very important point to
be considered in the matter is, what
saving will there be to the town?
As a matter of fact, if all the town
offices are to. be gathered together
.under this structure, there will be
considerable expense attached‘ for
janitor services, light and heat. Will
such expense be a sufficient saving
over the present expenses to war
rant an addition to the town's debt
1 f $100000, and that, too, at a time.
wh all are complaining of the bus
iness depression ? We doubt it.
’Should the meeting to-night,
which should be largely attended.
decide to build a new town house, it
will be apparent that the tax-payers
are willing and anxious to have
their taxes increased, but we h pe
that before a vote is taken upon the
question a full and fair discus: ion
will be had, and that the two SGlI ct-
men who are advocating the new
building, will, without the aid of th I
paid counsel or fuglem 1n l'u‘ly, ex-
plain everything pertaining t the
question so that all preacnt may
thoroughly understand the matter.
-When this is done let a fair and
henest ballot be taken.~
——‘O°O>——
Change in Management.
The management of the N orwalk
Opera House is now under the charge
of CharlesR. Gardiner,F. W. Mitchell
having re til ed. .
——————«o>————————-——
Fire at Bethel ‘
Judd and Dunning’s hat shop at
Bethel was destroyed by fire at about
12 o’clock last night The less will
ambunt to several thousand dollars.
‘-->
‘v
Adoption Degree.
The Uncas tribe of Red Men met
last evening and conferred the adop-
tidn degree on One paleface. And
there was quite a pow-wow.
/
EVERYTHING 0N RUNNEHS.
The Best Sleighing Known in Norwalk for
Some Years.
It is a long time since N orwalk has
been treated to as fine sleighing as now
p1evails; and it is being taken advan-
tage of by owners of houses and sleighs
and the merry jingle of bells. despite
the'dull times, causes one to hail the.
snow clad streets with delight.
Agreeable to the prophecy of the
weather bureau, there was a great fall
in the mercury in thermometers from
that registered yesterday, and amount
ing to about 20 deg1ee’s. This morn-
ing thermometels 1egiste1 ed as low as
4 .degreeslbel'ow zero.
Yesterday there were several sleigh-
ing accidents, none of which, however,
were of a serious nature. ‘
G. Fredericks came to the front first.
He was driving up South Main street
in his business sleigh when one of the
runners caught in the Tramway switch
track and was wrecked.
Professor Smyth‘e and wife, were
driving from Westport to South "Nor-
walk yesterday afternoon, when on
Van Zandt avenue the sleigh overturn-
ed and the occupants were thrown into
a snowbank, but escaped injury. Their
horse which was nearly up .to his neck
in s .ow made no attempt to run or
flounder about. The only damage done
was the breaking of a shaft which was
quickly repaired at a. convenient black-
smith shop and the Professor and his
wife proceeded to their destination
which they reached without further
mishap.
Frank Svec, while driving on South
Main street in his sleigh suffered .an
upset near the Western Union Tele-
graph oflice. Three of his companions
were also unceremoniously tumbled in-
to the snow. Damages nominal.
Augustus and John Magner. and a
young-man named Cullen were spilled
out of a sleigh on North Main street
yesterday afternoon. The horse ran
into Marshall street and succeeded in
Wrecking the sleigh and harness be-
fore he was stopped'by Andrew Noonan.
The occupants of the sleigh escaped in-
Jury.
4..-—
DID HE WIN IT?
A. E. Chasmar Given the Yacht Club’s
Silver Cup. '
The regatta committee of theNorwalk
Yacht club, yesterday, decided the race
b tween the cabin cat boats owned by
A. E. Chasmar and Dr. L. M. Allen in
hum of the former and presented him'
with the silver Cup, which was the
trophy offered. On the occasion of the
race last summer, Dr. Allen mistook
the signal and started out of his turn. ~
Mr. Chasmar protested with the result
that he was awarded the cup.
Entre Nous Club Entertained.
TheEntre‘ Nous Whist club were en-
tertained last evening by Mr. and Mrs.
Orlando I. Allen at their home on
Washington street. There were seven
tables of players. Tue club prize was
won by Mrs. W. W. Lester, Mrs.
Ge01 0163 Van Alstyne se :'u1ed‘ the
guest prize and M1. Van Alstyue the
gentleman' 5 prize.
———-————«o>—~——~———
Has Graduated.
Miss Kittie Larrigan has graduated
from a large class at Brown’s Business
college. She was under instruction of
typewriting and stenography and sur-
prised even her-tutor at the rapid ad-
vancement she made in both.
—————‘0.0D———————'—
Second Degree. -
Old Well Lodge, No. 108, F. 8; A. M.
conferred the second degree on Attorz
nev Joseph R. Taylor, last evening.
At 9 o’clock this morning Chief Voll-
mel stood at the entiance of Mr. Tay-
101 5 office anxiously awaiting his ar-
rival.
—-——---<O.-O>—-——‘—‘
T. C. W.
At a meeting of the Twin City
. Wheelmen held last evening Fred
Many and Jesse Bl undage were adm t
ted to membership, and mattels rela
tive to the presentation of "Lady Bess”
discussed. ‘ _ 0 .
———-—‘o.o_p———————-—
' Allual Meeting. I
The annual meeting of the St. Mary's
Ladies’ Aid society will be held on
Sunday next. Office1s will be elected
and reports lead.
‘
Burned (mt. .
The New York office of the batting
film of Walhelsel 8t Dreyer, of South
Norwalk, was bulned out by a fire iu'
that city, Monday night.
Buckingham Post, G. A. R. will hold . ,.
' a regulal meeting to-nigh'po
fortunate.
11le11 1001131311
Attorney Joseph A. Gray Al-
Ieged to Have With-
held Fees.
The Géievance Committee Has Preferred
‘sferious Charges Against ilIm.
Charges have been' preferred by the
grievance committee of the bar of
Fairfield county. against Joseph A.
Gray, 'a well known lawyer of Norwalk.
Mr. Gray will have to answer the com-
mitteebefore a judge of the Superior
court‘and show cause why he should
not. be disbarred from practice. No
date has been assigned for a hearing
as yet, but the matter will be awaited
with interest. Gray is well known
throughout the county. It. is said now
that—preliminary steps have been taken
to rein eve him from practice, other
charges may follow.
The present action is based on the
complaint of Hiram K. Scott of Ridge-
field and County COmmissioner Lee of
Bridgeport. I Both men have frequent-
ly served on important committees ap-
pointed by the Superior court. In the
pre.‘ nt instance, it is alleged that‘ Mr.
received the fees to pay the com-
_e but neglected to do it until the
clam] of one member of the committee
w "filplaced in the hands of another
lager for collection. 1
The grievance committee is composed
of Attorney Goodwin; Stoddard of
Bridgeport, Judge J ohri H. Perry of
Southport, and ex-Mayor’ Edward L.
Scofiel‘d of Stamford.
to the court, they submit that during
théyear 1896, Gray was the attorney
for one Marv E. Honnecker, a res1dent
otgorwalk, who became involved in
litigation with: the city-over the assess-
ment of damages: in thalayout of East.
* 'Wall-street in this city. She appealed
and asked for a reas’sessment and Chief
J ust-ice Charles B. Andrews named At-.
torney Charles S. Canfield' of .Bridge‘
~port, _Hiram‘K. Scott of Ridgef-ield and '
County Commissioner Henry Lee of
Bridgeport, as a committee to hear
testimony and report their'finding to
the court.
The committee came to Norwalk on
several occasions and after careful de-
liberation made their report to the
court on September 30, 1896, in which
they allowed increased damages. The
fees and expenses of the committeefor
the hearing amounted to $307.30. Of
this amount $148.40 was the bill of At-
torney Canfield, $80.50 that of Mr.
Scott, while Mr. Lee’s claim was $78.-
40. The report was accepted both by
the city of Norwalk and Miss Honneck-
er and on October 2, of. the same year,
was approved and accepted by Judge
V Andrews.
The following day the costs in the
case were taxed in favor of Miss Hon-
necker and accepted by her through
her counsel, Attorney Gray. On Octo-
ber 13 the damages, together with the
costs, including the fees and expenses
of the committee, were paid to‘ Mr.
Gray by the City of Norwalk. He took
the same into his possession for Miss
Honnecker and on October 16 sent At-
torney Canfield a check for thcamount
due him. He neglected to send a
check to either Mr. Scott or Mr. Lee
although he was repeatedly requested
to do so. The grievance committee in
its report alleges that there Was no ap-
parent reason why he should have no-
glected to pay the money because it-
had been paid to him by the city.
On March 27, of the following year,.
the gentlemen referred to consulted
with a. number; of well known lawyers
and were advised that charges should
be preferred against the lawyer and
they were accordingly filed with the
committee.
,On May 6, two months after the
charges had been filed, Gray, sent Mr.
Scott a check for the amount due him
for his services. MruLee was not so
‘ It was not until the follow-
ing september that he received his
.{ "money and then it was» paid t-o_"Judge
In their petition
A. B. Beers of Bridgeport, in whose
hands the claim had been put f01 col-
lection. '
It 15 said that before the matter is
finally concluded, Edward J. Wadhams
ney. Wadhams was formerly in busi-
ness in this city andfailed. Gray was
his counsel and the affairs of the estate
were placed in his hands. Wadhams
contends that he gave Gray over $400
to pay certain claims but Gray convert-
ed the money to his own use. He sued
for its recovery and was given a judg-
m‘éntuexecution on which is now pend-
ing. ' .
To offset this Gray recently sued the
butcher for about $800 for services, and
the jury gave him $65 which he proved
he had spent for disbursements. He
has recently filed a motion for a new
trial, which motion is under considera~
tion by Judge Curtis. The delay in
the final adjustment of this case has
prevented Wadhams from taking an
execution upon the 1 judgment securedl
by him in the tort potion. He has
openly stated that he will arrest the
body of the lawyer and have him com-
mitted to jail and compel him to settle.
He also threatens to proceed against
him criminally, as he claims the law-
yer embezzled the money when he de-
voted it to his own use instead of ap-
plying it to the debts of the Wadhams
estate.
Gray has been practicing in Norwalk
for a number of years and has been
charged with a large number of ques-
tionable transactions.
From *“ Silver Dollar ” Lee.
William J. Bryan is seen. to be the
recipient of a unique and beautiful
present from the Democratic city com-
mittee of Stamford. The gift consists
of a veritable 16 to 1 table with a b01-
der of 16 silver dollars and a ten dollar
gold piece in the center. The table
was made by John H Lee, proprietor
or the arm: Dollar cafe, and was pre-
. sented last fall to the Roman Catholic
fair. Mr. Lee won thetable at. a fair
and at his suggestion it is being sent...
to Bryan. with; the compliments of the
Democratic town: committee.
Medal Winners.
The gold medal winners for attend-
ance at the Methodistflhurch Sunday-
'school areas follow-s: Mrs. M. A.
Aiken, Ernest Gregory, Miss Winnie
Clary, Raymond Decker, . Asa Decker,
Lester Bruudage, William L. Warren,
Edward Uuderhill, F. T. Ruscoe, Mrs.
M. McPherson, George Nash, Herbert
June, Mrs. J ulia Malkin,Harr-y Bouton,
Walter Decker, George Mills, Alvin
N ickerson, Willis Nickel-son.
Congratulations.
To-day will be one of the-greatest in
the memory of Henry “Thornton”
Prowitt unless it be the day, that his
father brought him home a. new pair of
skates. It will be his wedding day and
he will celebrate it in Tarboro, N. ”C.
To the bride and groom the GAZETTE
extends its congratulations.
. -—-—-—Co.o>————
Leave of A bsence.
Rev. F. W. Norris has been granted
a leave of absence for three months,
and in company with his wife, it is said,
will visit Europe. As rector of Trinity
church parish it. is safe to say that he
has fully earned his vacation, and the
. communicants can but wish the rever-
and happy vacation season.
Alfred V. Scofield Dead.
Alfred V. Scofield died on Monday,
at his residence in Mianus, of Bright’s
disease. Mr. Scofield never fully re-
covered his health after his terrible
sufferings in Andersonville Prison.
He leaves a widow and three children.
Deceased was a member of Co. B.
, 17th C. V.
. .
Commissioner Miller's Illness.
County Commissioner Miller, who
has been ill at his home in Danbury for
six weeks past, is still confined to his
bed. Mr. Miller is sufiering painfully
from rheumatism and swelling of the
limbs and is not improving as rapidly
as could he wished.
' —-———<o.o>——-—-—
Feast of the Purification.
(‘andlem‘hs day was
Services, Were also held at the Episco-
pal churchesin town in commemora-
tion of the day. .
Mrs. Edward Hyde is' visiting rela-
lives in South N or walk
rd”.
will also file charges against the attor— _
end gentleman and his wife a profitable.
celebrated, by '
.services at St. Mary’s church to-day.
, PROTECTION OF BIRDS;
Fairfield County Audubon Society -WiII
Wage a Vigorous War Against *
Their Destruction.
' The first meeting of the Audubon
Society of Fairfield County, ’the pic-
neer organization of the State, was
held on Friday afternoon, January 28,
at the house Mrs. William B. Glover,
in Fair field.
The motive of the society is the pro-
tection of wild birds, discouraging the
use for millinery purposes of all bird
feathers, other ”than. ostrich plumes,
the feathers of domestic fowl and game
birds used for food already protected
by law.
The society also claims to have Bird
Day celebrated in conjunction with
Arbor Day~in the -public schools, and
to stimulate the general study of nat-
ural history as a means of preserving
the beauties of the country. ‘
The co-operation of the various
towns and villages in this county is
asked.
The society expects to have public
talks upon birds during the coming
season, to distribute leaflets and to
furnish lists of books to others desiring
to study native birds, animals or-‘plants
- as but'little is at present understood
about the value of birds in their rela-
tion to agriculture.
Action was taken upon the by-lawsof
the society and the following officers
were elected: '
President,
Wright.
Corresponding Secretary and Treas—
urer, Mrs. Henry S. Glover.
Recording Secretary, Miss Emma F.
Wakeman.
Mrs. William B. Glover, President
of the Executive Committee.
Bridgeport, Southport and Fairfield
were well represented at this meeting,
which was most enthusiastic.
.Mrs. Mabel Osgood
" ———<o.o>—————
Mrs. W. B. Osborn Dead.
News has reached Norwalk of the
death of Mrs. William B. Osborn of
Manchester, Mich. Mrs. Osborn was
a sister of Mrs. W. A. Ambler who died
on January 5, in this city. She is sur-
vived by three. sisters and fourbroth
ers: Mrs. WillisMcDonald, of Brook—
lyn; Mrs. P. R.Du-senberre, Mrs. H. S.
Séllec’k, of Norwalk; Lester Cole, of
Brooklyn; Ira Cole and Alle Cole, of
Norwalk and Victor. Cole, of‘Bridge-
port. ‘
. Official Report of a Death.
Relatives of George R. Bailey of
South NorWalk, are in receipt of offi-
cial information from the. pension de-
partment that Mr. Bailey died‘at Stur-
gen, Mo., December 11th,,.1889., Itwill
be remembered by our older- residents,
that Mr. Bailey was a contractor and
builder and that he suddenly left town.
in September,~1869.’ '
Reception.
Welcome Stranger Lodge, Sons of
St. George, gave a reception at their
meeting room last night. All were as-
Sured of having a-good time and the
assurance was cemented by the assur-
ance of those present that they had, as-
suredly, one of the best ,of evening’s
pleasure.
‘ ‘_.
Court Narruk. ‘
Grand chief ‘Leddy of the Foresters
of America. made an official visit to
Court Narruk last evening. A “smok-
er” followed the business meeting, but
the smoke was not so dense that it pre- .
cluded the chief ranger enjoying with.
his brother Rangers a fine" spread.
5‘ ‘ Left Norfolk.
The schooner Eva L. Ferris sailed
from Norfolk Va., yesterday for New
'Haven. The Jennie C. May is at Bee?
tOn. Norwalk people are large share
owners in both crafts which arewell ,
known in this port. ‘ I
The Lamont Club.
The Lamont club has about perfected
arrangements for a sleighride to Stam-
ford on Friday evening next. The
present conditions prevailing. The oe-
casiOn p1 omises to be one of much
pleasure to all concerned.
The Weather.
Incr easing cloudiness and light snow
to-night, and Thursday not so cold.
DEATHS.
MARSH —In Bridgeport, January 31 .-
Wesley James, infant son of Edward ,
H. and Jennie A. Marsh, aged 5 days.
MURPHY. —-In Danbury,Janua1'y 31,
Anna wife of James B. M111 h
34 years. ~ p y, aged
Mittens—In Asheville N. c. J
28, 1898, Harry L., son ’01 Lewis 313‘
Mar-den of Bridgeport, aged 20' years.
. .0
Norwalk Chronicler