Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-03-29
supreme Judicial Court.--The stearns.sampson

Supreme Judicial Court.--The stearns.sampson
On Monday afternoon the case of Stearns
against Sampson was taken up, as mentioned
In our issue of yesterday, and the following
witnesses for the plaintiffs sworn Mrs.
Louise ). Best, Mrs. Louisa 2. Stearns, Miss
Lilly (. II. Stearns, Miss Norris, Mr.. George
T. Stearns and Mr.. Greenlief White.
Mrs. Best took the stand, and the afternoon
was consumed in eliciting her testimony,
which was in substance the same as appeared
in communication printed in the KenHebec
Journal Dec. 22d, 1869, signed Louise
Page Stearns, George T. Stearns, Louisa S.
Best, John Best, Lilly Z. II. Stearns." Mrs.
Best was occupying the witness stand at the
moment of adjournment Monday evening, and
her cross-examinaton by Mr.. Libbey was
concluded yesterday forenoon.
Mrs. Louisa p. Stearns, for whose benefit
the action is brought, then took the stand and
proceeded to give her testimony, which, like
that of her daughters, Mrs. Best, is contain
ed, in substance, in the communication above
referred to, published by the family, Dec
20, 1869
Miss Lille f. II. Stearns testimony was
substantially corroborative of that of her sis
ter and mother.
Miss May Page, sworn, testified that on
one occasion when on the way with food for
baby Best, she met Mr. Sampson who told
her she could not enter the house, and if she
persisted she might be arrested.
Cross Ex.-Mr. Sampson said whatever |
gave to Mr.. Low should be sent to the family
in the house.
Mr.. Greenlief White, sworn on direct ex-
animation, testified that the social standing of
Mrs. Stearns was good, and that her position
in society was high; that Mr.. Sampson was
reported to be a man of ample means a man
who lives sumptuously; never heard his
wealth estimated; at the time of the trouble
asked Mr.. Sampson, care you not going
little too fast 2" and he replied that he thought
not, that he had been advised by as able
counsel as there is in Massachusetts, and
that he was only following their advice.
Cross Ex.-Cannot state the social cond-
ton and standing of Geo. b. Stearns.
Henry F. Wingate, called, sworn, testified
Have known the Stearns family for forty
years; have known Mr.. Sampson since he
was boy-he is a member of the firm of A.
Sampson & Sons. Mr.. Sampson is reputed to
be man of wealth.
ross-Ex.-Know the social standing and
position of George b. Stearns. Never knew
anything against him except that he did not
pay his bills.
Direct resumed-Have known the social
standing and position of Mr.. Stearns for forty
years. 1t is good.
Lorenzo S. Cole, called sworn testified.
Is practising physician practiced in Hal
lowell years last December. Was called,
Dec. 10, 1869, to see Mrs. Stearns, while
some of Simpsons men were in the house.
She was troubled with palpitation of the heart
She was very nervous; seemed to be ex-
hausted or Frustrated and somewhat despon-
dent. Suppose the dependency was on ac-
count of her trouble in regard to the house.
Visited her Jan. %, at Mrs. Sager's, and
found her sitting up. Should suppose she
was able to leave the house; she was weak.
When he visited Mrs. S:earns Dec. To-
found the room rather too cold for health or
comfort.
Cross Ex.-Was first called to Mrs Stearns'
to see Mrs. Best's child. Was caledito see Mrs.
Stearns Nov 80: think her trouble was pal
pitation OF the heart; saw Mr.. Sampson
daily; judged Mrs. Stearns was in condition
to move "A hours after | saw her Dec. 10th;
think the child was in a condition to be moved
oh thc IL "tS ihoNtu, anu ~ ItpOittu W
Mr.. Sampson.
l.. Clay, one of the counsel for plaintiffs,
sworn, testified that he resides in Gardiner;
remember that Mrs. Best met me on the road
between Hallowell and Gardiner, Dec. Q,
1869, and returned with her to Hallowell;
found Mr.. Sampson in the hall of the house,
with men who were engaged in removing fur
niture; | asked Mr. Sampson if the furniture
was being removed in accordance with his
order. He said it was. l then asked him by
what authority he was thus acting. His ans
wer was, 81 have no process and do not want
any; fam removing this furniture on my own
responsibility" | informed him that | had
been engaged as counsel for the plf. and pro-
tested against his further proceeding. He
replied that he had nothing to do with me and
ordered me to leave and that if did not leave
the premises he would have me arrested. |
asked him what he was going to arrest me for.
He said-'Because | do not want you here
| want you to leave" / asked him what he
proposed to do. He said he was going to
clear the house / asked him if he was going
to put the ladies out he said-''I shall not
put my hands on them to hurt them" l had
been consulted by the son and husband in re-
gard to the title to the property and had been
retained by them
Mr.. Clay was on the stand as the Court
adjourned.
Dr p;arca's Alt Eyt or Golden Mod