Litchfield enquirer., 1869-07-01

The Goshsn Assault and Battery Gases, We subioin an excellent report of thA
 great Goshen Justice trials of last week,
 from our esteemed correspondent at that
 place. 1t tells how things happened not
 only Uer6ofins but kteratim- how the parties
 mt and fit;" then how they swore and tswore' how thecounsel .splead and pIead;n and then how the Justices fined and fined;
 tall whatiwith all the fghtings. swearings,
 pleadings. and finings, the affair assumed quite large proportions. We regret that the decision of the chief Justice was not given. also. as he is said to have handled
 Blackstone in way that rather astonished
 the legal gentlemen present.
 GOSHEN, June 18th, 1869. The trial of Henry Mansfield and Galpin P.Bron- son, for assault and battery, took place in the Town Hall before Albert Wadhams and Amos Da. vison associate Justices of the Peace Hon. John H. Hubbard, of Litchfeld opened the case in be- half of the State.
 Odroline J0cqae was one of the first witnesses sworn. Testified that Mansfield came to Bron- sons house; Bronson, his wife, and witness, all stood in the door near the south room, Mansfield went up to big gate perhaps rod from the door, and pulled the gate down. Gate fastened with 12 large nails. Mansfield acted mad, been drinkin' some she guessed, been kindly mad for some time. Bronson went out with his walking cane in his hand, cane 8, 4 or feet long, and big round as chair post. Got most up to Mansfield, who came right at Bronson with both fists doubled up- struck at him three or fur times don't think he hit him. Bronson stood still and 1irted his walk ing cane towards him. Then they clinehed and pulled each other down. Mansfield fell on ton. got the cane away from BIonson. Mrs. Bronson and witness went right out, witness picked up pea brush, bout as big as her finger. whipped Mans field behind to make him give up cane, while Mrs Bronson pulled it. They got it, then witness lirt- ed it at him just as Bronson did. Cane shown in 1 court. Lawyer Graves thought it looked like a l "North End" cane. Bronson stood behind Mans- field, and held him while witness firted cane at him, but didn't hit him with it. They clinched in, | went to fighting and ''ft spell" Witness lives l in Bronson's family-lived in Goshen thirteen or | fourteen years.
 1 Mrs. Freelope B,oison next testified May 29th about o'clock in the afternoon, Mansfield went by there hollered at them, ,usedindecent language
 Went home left his 3op, came right back, turned up to the house, thought probable that he was for a fight. They all set in the south room. Mans ] field went up to gate and pulled it down, acted | like furious mad man. Witness afraid of him. Mansfield stood with mouth wide open, eyes star ed open, and fists doubled up. Bronson took walk | .. ,ko f,ok
 ward or backward, and Mansfield bounded right on him. Mansfield got the walking cane. Wit ness and Caroline then went out. Mansfield threw Bronson and got top of him. said, 9TH kill you, :,
 had it over once or twice. Bronson called for help. Witness pulled on cane, and Caroline used ] the pea brush, saying 'What are you down here fighting with us for?" They stit an9 ft,'' and founced 'round. and they gotup. Asaph Palmer had jest gone by. and witness ran after Asaph and tried to have him come and stop them. When witness got back they were both down, lay sJfetty much side by side, if anything Bronson had the best side-douncsd round spell, and then l got up. Bronson then got Mansfield 80 he could not hurt any body, and held him there spell. Ketched LiaA-aaddanlY .kv- Una leg, and tripped him up into the ditch, among stones and dirt, | which got his head and hair dirty. Bronson went and set on him few minutes. Mansfield didn't 1 lie very still, squirmed some. Mansfield said "Don't touch me agin'.' Bronson said. 'I won't | if you'll promise not to holler irritate any more" Witness came up, and said, ''You know you've insulted us' Didn't say any more then; only tried to impress upon his mind how he'd in- suited us. Mansfield walked away; walked we'll .ptn okad. like it; shouldn't thought any thing about it, only smelt his breaths Mansfield put his hand in his pocket. said he'd blow our brains out. Didn't see Bronson choke Mansfield. a# a Galpin P. Bronson testified, that Mrs. Bronson and Caroline, stood in the door or near it, said Mansfield was comin, and has turned up there. didn't thmk much about 1t at first. Soon heard l him holler abusive language; next the gate rat 1 tied; and slam, down it come. Looked out, saw Mansfield, or feet from it swinging his fists and making motions Indian style. Saw by his coun- tenance he was furious as ravenous beost Here in this dilemma witness felt that he was placed l in cramped spot. Took his walking cane and | went right out. Stepped jest over the gate; said | nothing; held cane in hand, and stood and looked 1 at him, mouth open, eyes glaring, fists doubled up, and struck three or four times towards him, don't think he hit him, thinks the blows went over his head, or one side of it. If he hit him his head must have been so hard he didn't notice it. Struck l at him with cane, then Mansfield took cane away, and grappled in with him. At this juncture he stood his ground as well as he could, but saw in minute he couldn't handle him.. Don't remem- Der certainly, but thinks Mansfield said he'd kill him, more he thinks of it positive he said Then he worked and jerked, and twisted, and got him down. No time then to do anything 50 he hol- lered for Caroline, but before this Mansfield didn't l do much of anything eos he held him at bay. Fi- 1 nally witness got Mansfield down, and Mansfield got both of witness thumbs in his mouth, and one of his tushes went right through one thumb, nail and all. Then his courage failed him, and he thought Mansfield d bite his thumbs of. He told Caroline to strike him and cripple him, and finally he trppsd him into ditch. Neither he or Mrs. Bor Caroline struck him on the head and knew not how the wounds and bruises got there. Asaph Palmer testified to passing the house, saw Mansfield pull on the gate and fall to the ground with the gate on him. Bronson came out-struck