June 5, 1917 - My idea now is to get you an engraved platinum ring.

Well this is the month that Joe and Helen get married. Short on letters but there will be some photographs and telegrams of congratulations. Below is an ad for Hotpoint from 1917. As you will read in the letter that is the kind of electric coffee percolator they received as a gift from one of Joe's clients. There is also what may have been a similar percolator.

Monday
My dear,

We are in the depot in Hartford and it is just about 10:30 leaving for Bridgeport.

Oh, dearie, but I have lots of news.

The train will start in a minute and will jar, jostle and interfere with my writing. First, I was re-appointed City Attorney for the third time by Judge Dillon. He told me, in open court, some very flattering reasons for the reappointment. I'll tell you all about it later.

I had a terrible trip last night, got there at 8 sharp, then had to wait till 9:30, wow! But we had a big crowd, I got under a sympathetic spell, and cut out all my funny stuff, and will you believe it, I actually had some men in tears? I found the audience composed of middle aged and older men and women, and shifted from Biblical talk to personal topics. Speaking for Charles, naturally, I talked of the early childhood and manhood, tracing some pretty sad epochs, and ere I knew it, was all wound up. It went so well, that I'll probably speak to the same thing, if I remember it, in a half a dozen towns.

Another thing! This morning I was called over to the Hawley Hardware Co. one of my real good and old clients, who have a very large hardware business in the State and briefly addressed by the Treasurer, was given the most exquisite coffee percolator I ever saw. It is a copper affair, Hotpoint make, of a special design, with broad ebony handles and brass faucet. It has capacity for 9 large cups, naturally it is connected to electricity. I was dumbfounded. I had a choice of a nickel one, but took this. It's a peach. It has a brown silk cord wire to match a "mission" room. What think you? That mark of appreciation  means more to me than a good deal, for while I knew how highly they regarded me, I never realized that a corporation had a heart as well as soul to show gratitude in this way.

My dear, I haven't heard a thing about the house, but feel pretty good tonight, because, as you know, the old motto, no news is good news.

But I'll know tomorrow morning, when I start to register.

This train is jarring me too much to let me continue. We've just passed Berlin. How I wish the allies had gotten that far, across the sea.

My idea now is to get you an engraved platinum ring, and a diamond bracelet. Make up your mind on about what shape watch you want, and you'll have it.

Also, our home, when we get it, will be your home. That's another little thing in store for you, I'll tell you all about it, also, when I see you.

I'm going to make you the happiest girl alive. That is a noble effort and with your help, will succeed.
Meanwhile dear, I'll keep waiting anxiously for the 19th. I must get to New York and hope to do so Wednesday morning. More tomorrow.

With love & kisses,

I am Your
Joe

The next letter is June 11

March 30, 1914 - Rape - "She fought desperately with a hat pin . . ."

Here are two articles from different local newspapers both from March 30, 1914. One was the Ansonia Sentinel and the other the Post (my assumption is the Bridgeport Post). In reading this scandalous news and knowing Joe's values and moral code I am sure this was a very difficult day for him in court. Joe was just 28 years old and very unworldly in such affairs.

WILLIAM STONE
HELD BY COURT
IN $2,000 BAIL

Bridgeport Youth, Formerly of
Shelton Is Accused of Serious
Crime by Young Woman.
William Stone, alias Elias Boutelier, aged 17, of No. 431 Lafayette street, was bound over to the Superior court by Judge Dillon in the Shelton borough court today, charged with a statutory crime.
The complainant in the case was Alma Houle, a Huntington young woman, who charged that Stone attacked her in the vicinity of her home last night. Stone formerly lived here and had known Miss Houle for some time.
Bonds were fixed at $2,000. Stone is a conductor in the employ of the Connecticut company in this city. Attorney Joseph G. Shapiro of this city is the prosecuting attorney of the Shelton court and presented the state's case today. The torn clothing worn by the girl was presented in court as evidence of the struggle. The girl jabbed Stone with a hat pin several times until he wrenched it from her grasp.
Stone was arrested in Bridgeport last night and taken back, to Shelton for trial this morning by Lieutenant Barnes of the Shelton Police department.

WAS BOUND OVER
William Stone Plead Guilty to Charge
of Attempted  Rape of
Alma Honle.
William Stone alias Boutelier, formerly of this place but now located in Bridgeport, was arraigned in the town court this morning charged with rape on the person of Miss Alma Houle, of the old Coram Road. The boy, who is but a little over sixteen years of age, plead guilty to an attempt at rape, through his guardian, S. T. Palmer, and was bound over to the next term of the superior court in Bridgeport, in the amount of $2,500, and being unable to secure the bonds was taken to Bridgeport jail by Lieutenant Barnes.
The offense was committed Sunday night, the girl who is also but sixteen years of age, having come from a visit to Ansonia, on the trolley that reaches her about 9:30 o'clock, and found young Stone waiting to take the car to Bridgeport. He did not take the car but accompanied the girl towards her home. While passing through the loneliest part of the way he assaulted her and although she fought desperately, using a hat pin and a stick pin in her defense, he overpowered her and accomplished his purpose. He then left her and ran to the trolley taking the next car to Bridgeport.
When the girl arrived home she told the case to her parents and the local police were at once notified. They communicated with the Bridgeport police and the lad was arrested. Lieut. Barnes went down for him this morning.
The boy admitted all the essential parts of the story, denying, however, having consummated the act. He had just secured a position as conductor on the Bridgeport trolley and in his application for the situation stated his age as being twenty-one. He was born here, however, and the record shows that his statement in court of being but sixteen years of age is correct, he having been born August 28, 1897. He and Miss Houle were formerly schoolmates and she had no hesitation at accepting his company last evening under the circumstances.
Committee  Will   Meet.

They obviously did not want this young man out on the streets because setting a bond of $2,000 in 1914 was a lot of money. Especially for a seventeen year old boy.

Hope to find more interesting articles before the next letter at the end of April.