Miscellany, Apr. 23, 1951

Dots & Dashes. In Superior, Wis., Moris Barieult, a railroad worker, explained n court why he set upon three bunkmates with an iron poker: he suspected they were plotting an attack on him by snoring n Morse code.

Distinction. In Reno, the Nevada State Journal listed: “New modern furnished apartments. Pets welcome. No children.”

Virtue’s Reward. In Ann Arbor, Mich., Henry Heil slipped a coin into a parking meter to help an unknown motorist whose time had run out, was promptly arrested under a city ordinance prohibiting unauthorized persons from putting coins in meters.

Star Witness. In Santa Barbara, Calif., young Roger H. Janetzky insisted in court that he was driving less than 25 m.p.h. when he passed another car, was brought up short by the judge: “The car you passed was going 25 miles per hour. I was driving it.”

Specialists. In Toledo, someone stole 4,700 sets of false teeth from Donovan Dental Laboratory, another thief selected eleven manhole covers from an East Toledo neighborhood.

Party Line. In Jersey City, a prospective juror answered the question, “Is there any reason, physical or otherwise, why you should not serve as a juror?” with the reply: “Yes, I belong to the Republican Club.”

As Advertised. In Hartford, Conn., a 66-year-old movie patron laughed so heartily at the comedy on the screen that she had to be hospitalized for a ruptured abdominal muscle.

Matter of Typing. In Vienna, Franz Devizini, 63, could think of only one possible explanation for the fact that he was arrested for robbery: “It’s true I’ve been an honest man up to now. But not long ago I had a blood transfusion. Apparently I must have been given the blood of a thief.”

Planner. In Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, after announcing herself a candidate for mayor, Irene B. Green, 40, ran an advertisement in the “Female Help Wanted” column of the Press for women to fill posts in her proposed all-woman city council.

Restricted Zone. In Sanger, Calif., four bar owners protested to the city council that a church being built in their neighborhood would lower the value of their properties.

Artist & Model. In Pittsburgh, Mrs. Anna Swick, 29, won a divorce on the ground that her husband “was always trying to tattoo me so he could open a circus.”