Evening gazette, Tuesday, January 10, 1899 · page 1

 

 

 

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ING GAZETTE! '

 

 

‘- .

VOL. IX. NO. 2033

 

NORWALK, ooNN.. TUESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 10,1899.

 

Every Reader of THE
EVENING GAZETTE
is a Buyer. Give Them
aTrial -

 

 

 

PRICE TWO CENTS.

 

WORTMAII’S LOSTCHANCE

 

THE BETHEL POLITICIAN TRIES
HARD TO GET INTO THE LEG-
ISLATURE--HIS FIGHT

AGAINST THE

COUNTY COM

MISSIONER WILL PROVE

FRUITLESS-- MILLER WILL BE
RE-ELECTED.

 

The fierce conflict for supremacy in
the ranks of the republicans in the
upper part of the county, which has
been gomg on for sometime between
County Commissioner James E. Miller
and former Representative William S.
Wortman of Bethe], has reached a
point where the latter, threatened
with overwhelming defeat, has adopted
the most desperate means to save him-
self, says the Bridgeport Post.

The story which comes from Bethel
in regard to Mr. Wortman's lastest ef-
fort, is one of the most remarkable ever
disclosed in political circles in this
part of the state.

The trouble between the two men
does not appear to be of such very long
standing, and it may almost be said
that it is entirely of the Bethel man’s
own making. His conduct in the last
legislatu1e did not please his constitu—
ents appaIently, and when the time
came fo1 a Ienominatibn he met with

 

stro ong opposition.

Then it was that he adopted methods
to secure the nomination which has
forever condemned him in the eyes of a
large majority of his Republican fellow
townsmen, so it is alleged.

When'the caucus was held he found
himself in the minority on the first
ballot. He managed to delay the next
ballot and in the meantime his hench-"
men hustled out and brought in enough
Democrats to carry the day.

The would be Republican leader met
these men as they were gathered from
one place and - another and said to
them, so it is reported : “Boys, I only
want your vote to-night. I don’t ask
you to vote for me on election day.”
These Democrats went in and voted
for Mr. Wortman and the next night
they attended the Democratic caucus
and assisted in naming the popular
YOW Democrat who was to beat the
Republican leader in a town that
ordinarily gives 200 or more Republi-
ean majority.

It was the opposition in the Republi-
can caucus that first led Mr. Wortman
to believe that County Commissioner
Miller was opposed to him. He ap-
pears to have had no particular reason
for thinking so, other than that he had
to provide some reason which did not
include the actual cause—the fact that
the Republicans of Bethel had lost
faith in him.

Then came the election and when
the votes were counted, Frederick N.
Porter, the Democratic candidate for
representative, had beaten Mr. Wort-
man by over 30 votes, while the rest of
the Republican ticket went in by about
1-10. The high handed methods in the
the caucus had not only proved disas~
trons to Mr. Wortman, but they had
wrought havoc with the old time Be-
publican majority, reducing it one-half
nd making Bethel the only town in

he county, outside of the big cities,
here the Republicans failed to hold
heir majority of two years ago.

 

Of course Mr. Wortman had to find a
cation for his defeat. Cammissioner
,, iller was blamed for it all and the
v efeated representative swore that it
hould henceforth be war to the death.

Mr. Wortman made up his mind that
a is chance would come when Commis-
ion: r Miller came up again as a can-
. idat: for county commissioner to snc-

eed himself. The Bethel man immed-
‘ately set about bringing this end
.bout, and ever since election he has
orked early and late in its behalf,
nd he proposes to keep it up until the

ounty caucus has taken final action. ;

Mr. Wortman, however, realized I

hat he was at a decided disadvantage f
11 carrying on this fight from the fact,

 

that he was not a member of the legis-
lature, and here it was that he evolved
the remarkable scheme to land himself
In the legislative halls which was hint-
ed at above.

It seems that Mr. Porter, the Dem-
ocratic representative, happened to go
out of business a few weeks ago and
since then he has been looking for a
good opening in sOme clerical position.
This fact and a peculiar feature of
Connecticut law, which provides that
when the representative of a town
fails to qualify his predecessor may
represent the town in the general as-
sembly as a hold over, gave Mr. Wort-
man his opportunity.

On one fine day the Bethel man met
his Democratic opponent and engaged
him in conversation. He informed Mr.
Porter that he thought he knew of a
good position for him and he asked
him if he would take 1t. Mr. P01 te1
said he would only be too glad and he
felt very grateful to MI. Wortman for
the interest he had shown.

At this time there was never a
hint of the little game behind it all.
Mr. Porter only saw the kind act of
a f1 iend He was to have an unpleas-
ant awakening later on.

Before the conversation ended Mr.
Wortman informed Mr. Porter that
he thought he could secure a position
for him in the employ of the Consoli-

dated road at New Haven and he -

would let him know later what to do.

In due time Mr. Porter was inform-
ed that he might take a trip over to
New Haven and was given a letter to
present to the official whom he was to
see. Mr. Porter’s first trip was not
successful. He did not see the man he
was looking for. '

A short time afterwards Mr. Porter
received a letter from the camptloller’s
office of the Consolidated road asking
him to go over again and forwarding
him a pass upon which he could travel.

Mr. Porter made the trip and this
time he was successful in seeing the
head officials. He had a talk with
them and was informed that there was
a position as bookkeeper open to him,
any time that he was ready to take it.
He informed the official that he had
been elected to the general assembly
and would like to serve his term, but
afterwards he would be only too glad
to tpke the place. This ended the in-
terview and Mr. Porter returned to

Bethel.
Right here Mr. Wortman appeared

on the scene. He met Mr. Porter and
asked him the result of his trip. Mr.
Porter informed him. . In reply Mr.
Wortman said that he was foolish not
to take the job immediately as later on
it might not be open to him. Continu-
ing he said in substance: “ You have
no need to worry about going to
the legislature. You can go and take
that position at New Haven and never
need qualify at Hartford. In that case
the town will not be without a repre-
sentative as the law provides that the
representative elected last time shall
hold over.” As Mr. Wortman was the
last, repres :ntative, the advantage of
this arrangement from his point of
view, was apparent.

But Mr. Porter did not take kindly
to the proposition. He could hardly
realize what it meant at first, but when
it fully dawned upon him he felt quite
indignant. Despite the fact that the

. offer was most tempting he rejected it

without hesitation, refusing to betray
the people who had put their trust up-
on him.

. Naturally a. matter of this character
could not be kept quiet and today it is
the talk' of Bethel. The Democratic

T

 

 

leaders felt very indignant over Mr.
Wortman’s attempt and they were
equally loud in their praise of Mr.
Porter who refused. to assist Mr. Wort-

take the lively Republican leader to
Hartford when the people had decided
emphatically that they did not want
him there. ‘

Mr. Wortman was very much disap-
pointed when he found that his little
scheme would not work. He made one
last effort to change Mr. Porter, but
the latter was not to be moved, and on
Wednesday he settled the matter for
good by going to Hartford and qualify-
ing for representative.

Mr. Porter 13 a modest young man
who has always taken a general in-
terest in politics from the Democratic
side of the house.
popular in Bethel, as his splendid vote
attests. He'will be even more so when
his constituents realize how he resist-
ed temptation in refusing a fine posi-
tion while he was out ‘of employment,
rather than betray the trust they had
placed upon him last November. The
Republicans of Bethel are now satis-
fied that they made no mistake in send-
ing the young man to Hartford. That
he will guard well the interests ’of the
town no one doubts foran instant.

As to Mr Wortman, he will have
to try another tack in his fight with
Commissioner Miller. He has been
beaten in every encounter so far and
the indications are that he is doomed
to overwhelming defeat in his final
effort to defeat Mr. Miller for re-elec-
tion.

 

 

BIRTH DAY PARTY.

Miss Clara Bartram Celebrates Her Fifteenth
Birthday Anniversary.

 

Abirthday party, in honor of the
fifteenth anniversary of her birth, was
given to Miss Clara Bartram at her
home in Harriet street, last evening.

Games were played until 11 o’clock,
when refreshments were served.
Among those present were Misses Net—
tie Comstock, Nellie Doulens, Hazel
Leslie, Bessie Stanley, Ida Raymond,
Lillie Bartram, Herbert Bogert, Irv-
ing Horton, Hiram Hull, Arthur
Northrup, Clifford Parsons, Harry
Bartram and Edward Bartram. '

=

Rebekah.

There will be given for the benefit of
the “Hospital of the Norwalk’s the
beautiful Scriptural Idyll or Cantata of
“Rebekah” at the South Norwalk
Methodist Episcopal church Wednes-
day evening, January 11th.

‘The soloists will be Mrs. Newkirk,
Mr. Harry Pepper and Rev. J . Mc-
Clure Bellows; the organist Mr. Harry
J. Zehm, assisted by a grand chorus of
100 picked voices. There will also be
given a handsome souvenir programme
to everyone who attends the entertain-
ment. Tickets 56 cents.

“I e leave next Wednesday night
open, so that all our people may attend
this entertainment. The leading sing-
ers of the Norwalks gladly donate
their services. Mr. Pepper deserves
the greatest praise for his devotion to
this cause. It should appeal to every
heart._
crowded to its utmost capacity. Even
if it means a sacrifice,.purchase a tick-
et and attend this splendid entertain-
ment. Help the Hospital cause alonga
little, and also show your appreciation
of the endeavor that is made to raise
money for the hospital. The entertain-
ment will be one of great excellence.—
Methodist Church Doings.

“WP—W
Died at the Soldiers’ Home.

Another veteran of the civil war
passed away at Fitch’s Soldiers’ Home,
Noroton, Saturday. He was Edmund
Tryon, a member of the Thirteenth
Connecticut Volunteers, and was in his
85th year.

to Glastonbury Monday for interment.
The deceased had been an inmate of
the home for five years.

AA;
"7

_ _ Enrollment Officers.
George H. Allen, W. J. O’Brien of

the selectmen.

 

1 sociation will hold a meeting in G. A.
R. hall at 8 o ’clock, on Friday eveninu'
next.

He is extremely ‘

We hope the church will be

When he left the service .
after the war he was the drum-major of :
his company. His remains were taken

I
l

Norwalk; Patrick Fitzmaurice of South '
Norwalk andW. w. Morrison of East Wood. daughter 0‘ M’-
Norwalk, have been appointed enroll- Charles N Wood 0f East avenue, ‘30
ment officers for the ensuing year, by Robcxt‘a .Van Buren, son of Robert

I

I
I

 

THE/SCHODNEII on FIRE

 

THE THREE-MASTED SCHOONER FOS-

' man in a little game which was to' '

TINA BURNED THIS MORNING ON
. COPP’S ROCKS.

 

Early risers who looked out on the

Sound this morning, were greeted with
a sight that may not happen, from
their point of vantage, again in a life-
time.
It was a large three-masted schooner
on fire and the blaze illuminated the
southern skies with a brilliancy that
was only blotted out by the rismg of
the sun, which never .shown with
brighter efiulgence.

Hundreds of people watched the
flames as they devoured the vessel,
whichiwas the Fostina, bound from
Boston to New York, with a cargo of
lime,'and which ran on to Copp’s
Rocks, off Gregory’s Point, during the
fog and storm of December 3lst.

As to how the‘ vessel became afire is
not known, but it is thought to have

DIRECTORS MEET.

The Hospital Directors Meet and Transact Im-

portant Business.

 

A meeting of the Norwalk Hospital
directors was held last evening, at
which business of considerable import-
ance was transacted.

Among other matters discussed was
that‘- of the endless chain letter
“hobby.” A proposition from, well
meaning persons that it be sanctioned,
was read. The scheme, for good and
sufficient reasons did not meet with the
approbation of the board, and by a
unanimous vote, it was discarded.

The thanks of the association was
voted to the Misses Helen A. Brown
and Eflie I. Lane for their services "in
giving a concert by which the associa-
tion treasury was enriched by some-
thing over $132. 4

R. H. Golden presented an ofier from

Mrs. Dudline' E. Raymond to endow ’

and furnish a room at the hospital
which was accepted.

The King’s Daughters of the Nor-
walk Congregational churches donated
8100 each, as did the St. Joseph’s socie-
ty, to furnish beds in three wards,
which donations were accepted with
thanks.

Among recent contributors the fol-
lowing names were announced: G. M.
Holmes, $50; M13. Julia Morison, $20;
'A. B. Hill, 825; H. W. Gregory, $5.

Mr. Holmes was'made a life member,

Mrs. Morison a member for four years,"

Mr. Hill for ten years and Mr. Gregory
for one vear.
The building committee reported
progress and their report was accepted.
Other business of minor importance
was. transacted and the board adjourn-
ed. »

 

..,- Burnt by. Catholic Acid.

John A. Camp is suffering from
severe scalds on his nether limbs
caused by the upsetting of a bottle or
receptacle containing carbolic acid,
while hewas taking ‘a bath. In ex-
planation it might be said the acid was
on a shelf over the tub and its entry
into Mr. Camp’s ablution was entirely
unanticipated.

‘

v

Eleventh Anniversary.

The officers of Court Mahackemo
will be installed to-night by Deputy
L. M. Smith, and degree work done
on three candidates. It is the eleven-
th anniversary of the Cour t and it will
be celebiated by an entertainment
and banquet. It is expected that
Court Westport will be present.

-—-————-——<o-o>———-——‘
Van Buren-Wood.

The engagement of Miss Vera May
and Mrs.

Van Buren of West avenue, is an-

'nounced.
The Nozwalk Business Men’s “.P‘I

The Weather.
Fair to-night; Increasing cloudiness
and snow Wednesday; colder tonight.

 

been caused by a combustion of the
cargo on board. i

The Fostina is 1,000 tons burthon
and was under command of Captain
Reynolds Philhrook. She hailed from
Boston and was owned by J. H. Tiltner dz
Co. of that city, and was comparatively
new. Her reported value is over $50,000
and the cargo is reported as being
valued at $10,000 more.

She left Boston December 17th bound
for New Haven in command of Captain
Philbrook, lwith a load of cement. Dur-
ing the blinding snow storm of Satur-
day night, December 3lst, she was
driven7upon Copp’s rocks as. above
stated.

Her commander, first and second
mate, the.steward and three deck hands
reached Gregory’s Point in one of the

SAID HE WAS STABBE'D.

Kelley Told a Story of an Encounter With
aTramp.

Geo1 we Kelley. of N01 walk, went to
the police statlon last night and asked
for medical assistance. He said that
he wasstabbed by a t1 amp on the road
between this city and Branchville. Dr.
Murray, who was in the station at the
time examined the man. He found
four small cuts on his arm. The police
took Kelley. to be a fakir and are in-
clined to doubt the story which he told.

Kelley said that while walking along
the railroad track near Branchville he
was stopped by a tramp who asked him
for a match. He replied that he had
none and the tramp abused him. Kelley
became angered and struck the tramp
in the face. The latter drew a knife and
stabbed him. Kelley walked to this city
to get a doctor.

The wounds were very slight and
Captain Ginty thinks that "the fellow
may have out himself in order to make
an excuse for begging. =Scars on the
man’s arms led him to the conclusion.

The fellow was ordered to get out of
town at the earliest possible moment.
-—Danbury News. '

 

Fairfield Centenarian Dead.

Maria, widow “Lewis 14‘. Judd, died
Monday morning at her home in the
Fairfield Woods district of Fairfield, of
debility due to old age. She was 100

years, 2 months, and 10 days old. She ':

was born in Weston, and had lived in
Fairfield for many years. Three sons
survive her.

.‘v

Want to Succeed Ir. Fessenden.

And still the rumor grows that City
Attorney Beers of Bridgeport is look-
ing for the position of state’s attorney
for Fairlield county in case that Hon.

Samuel Fessenden secures the United '

States senatorship. It is also said that
Stiles Judson, jr., of Stratford and

Attorney Light of Norwalk are candi~ :

dates for state’s rattorneyship.

Coal Barge Sinks at' Weslport.

The pteam coal barge Thurber,
Captain Joseph Merritt, tank at the
entrance of the Westport harbor
about midnight Sunday night and

the captain, his wife, and crew of two .

men had a narrow escape from drown-
ing.

Olficers Elected.

At the annual meeting of the Nor-
walk Union band last night, the follow-
ing officers were elected: President,
Arthur McDonald; vice-president, P.
H. Dwyer; business manage1,FrankA.
Honnecker; secretary, Harry Dwyer;
t1 easurer, Thomas Keogh.

AAA
‘— v7

‘

. 'WhisI-Club Meet.

Mrs. H.‘ Whitmore Gregory enter-
tained the Monday Afternoon Whist
club yesterday at her home on West
avenue. The prize was awarded Miss
Anna Cole.

 

life boats, and the owners of the craft
were advised of the situation.

The captain says that all suffered
severely from exposure beforethe boat
struck. . When I felt ourselves going
on the rocks I ordered all hands to
shorten sail, and seeing that it was all
over with us I ordered the anchors out.

 

“On the following day when the
weather had become more calm, I and
three of the men succeeded in landing
on Calf Pasture beach. Tugs from the
Merritt Wrecking company came to
our assistance the following morning, '
but although they remained about for
several days, we were driven higher
upon the rocks, until now at low tide
much of the vessel’s hull is out of
water. We have made‘a sufficient in-
vestigation to come to the conclusion
that the boat will be a complete wreck.
I don’t see how she can be saved. The
sea has been very rough ever since we
went ashore and the schooner’s timbers
were badly strained. There are already
gapping seams in her sides and the
rudder is gone.”

This morning the captain will have
an additional story to tell as the vessel
has burned to the water’s edge, and
what the storm failed in completing,
fire has done.

a‘

TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION

Meets in the Franklin Street SCHOOL—Rev.
Gerald H. Beard Makes an Address.

The Teachers’ association of the
South Nor-walk Union school district
held a meeting in the Franklin street
school, Monday evening. The one feat-
ure of interest was an address given by
Rev. Gerald H. Beard on " The Ideal
Womanhood.” Mr. Beard presented
an excellent Ideal and one worthy to
be striven for. A program of music
arranged by Mrs. Welsh, Miss Lizzie L
Tolles and Miss-Margaret Claven was
rendered as follows:

Chorus, “Song of the Zephyr,”

Mrs. Welsh, Misses Smith,
Bracken, Farrell.
Accompanist, Miss Claven.

Piano duet,
Misses Claven and Bracken.
Quartet, “Fairy Moonlight,”
Mrs. Welsh, Misses Smith,
Bracken, Farrell.

It was voted. to have the next regu-
lar meeting held the second Tuesday of
February. It was also voted that an
invitation be extended to all the teach-
ers of the town to be present.

 

Stockholders Meet.

The stockholders of the new N orwalk
and South Nurwalk Electric Light
company, held their first meeting Mon-
day afternoon. The following board
. of directors was elected: E. O. Keeler,
E. S. Adams, R. A. C. Smith, H. G.
Bundle and A. M. Young The new
-. directors immediately after held a ses-
._ sion, and selected these officers for the
I ensuing year: President, E. O. Keeler;
vice-president, E. S. Adams; secretary,
H. G. Bundle; treasurer, A. M. Young.

‘A
‘

 

 

‘
7

Found Beside the Tracks.

A man named James Melvin was
found lying by the railroad tracks in
Bridgeport last night, with his left
leg nearly severed above the knee. He
1 was in asemi-conscious condition and
lit is supposed that he was struck by
l a west bound train. He was taken to

the general hospital, wharé the injured

I leg was immediately amputated. above
the injury, and it is thought his-
chances for recovery are about even,
though he is very weak fer loss of
blood.

Roll Call.

Vice-president Arthur Seymour pre—
sided at the monthly roll call of the
East Avenue Epworth League meeting,
which was held in the church parlors
last evening. The religious seivices
were conducted by M1s. John L’Hom-
medieu.

I
l

Rebekah.

The last rehearsal of Rebekah will '
be held to-night at 7:45 o’clock in the
South Norwalk Methodist Church.

. H. PEPPER.

 

Old Well Lodge, 1073; A. .11. will

 

meet to-uight. ‘

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