Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-03-30
local sno state. Mems.
Supreme Judicial C0urt-The Sfearns-
Sampson Case.
WEDNEspAY-TnrRD DAY.

9th dav of December 1869, George Sampson
at Haiiowell. with force and arms broke ant
entered the dwelling house of George B
Stearns and wife, occupied by Louisa P
Stearns, said wife, etc. The second coun
reeites that said Sampson on the same da,
carried, away the goods and chattles of SAID
Louisa p. Stearns, to wit: large amount Of
furniture The third count declares that on
said 9TH day of December, said Sampson
with force and arms, in and upon the said
Louisa L. Stearns, an assault did make" and
did then and there threaten, menace, fright
en- and and in an insulting manner" do so
and so, all "against the peace of the State,
and contrary to law" The damage is de-
clared to be $4,000. The def. defends the
force and injuries and for plea says he is not
guilty IN manner and form as the pitts de-
clare, and puts himself upon the country
At the opening of the Court at 8 A. NJ, L.
Clay, one Of the counsel for the pitts, resumed
the stand, and testified further as to his re-
ception by Mr.. Sampson and his men at the
house. MIR. Sampson ordered me to leave ;
ordered me not to come to the premises again :;
several men came hurridly to the premises
from the direction of the oil-coth factory and
surrounded me. Subsequently l came to
Augusta with Mr.. George T. Stearns to con-
suit Mr.. Bradbury; in a short time we re-
turned with Mr.. Bradbury; Mr.. Bradbury
sion but were refused; Mr.. Sampson said we
could not go in. Mr.. Bradbury asked Mr..
Sampson if he would allow food and fuel to
be passed into the house; he said he would
not. Mr.. Bradbury then said-'Do you
mean to starve or freeze those ladies out ?"
His answer was-''I mean to get them out"
There was further conversation, which | can
not repeat. Mr.. Sampson l think ordered
Mr.. bradbury and myself off the premises
several times. | had demand against Geo.
b. Stearns; an attachment of the furniture
stored in the Hallowell House was attempted
but abandoned
Cross Ex-Before Mr.. Sampson ordered
Mr.. Bradbury and myself to leave the premi-
SEES, Mr. Bradbury used very strong and
harsh language toward Mr.. Sampson; | do
not remember that he called him a--s'Purse-
proud puppy" Settled the demand against
Geo. B. Stearns with George T. Stearns, and
released the furniture.
Direct-Mr. Sampson ordered us from
the grounds several times, and | think Mr.
Bradburys harsh language was used at the
time we were ordered away.
Here the evidence for the pitts closed
Mr.. Libbey, for defendant, occupied a little
less than an hour in his opening statement.
At the close of his opening statement, Mr..
Libbey put into the case, deed of warranty of
the property from Amos Nourse to George B.
Stearns, dated April &c, 1s4S, witnessed by
Il. W. Paine, and acknowledged before him
Also deed of warranty from Geo. b. Stearns
to Benz. Sewall dated June u. lS48 and in
which Mrs. Stearns relinquished her right of
dover, witnessed by Mr.. Paine; considera-
ton 81 900. Also deed of warranty from
Benz. Sewall of Boston to George Sampson,
dated % Sept. 1869; executed before Mr..
Paine; consideration 5000. Also mortgage
deed from Amos Nourse to Samuel Shaw,
Charles T. Curtis and - Sprague dated 2lst
Feb. 1910; to secure the sum of $500; as
signed to II. w. Paine 18th June, 1913; con-
sideration not stated. Also deed from Henry
w. Paine to Benz. Sewall dated 3lst Dec.
1859; consideration Sl050; releasing all
claim in mortgage. Also receipt of ii. w.
Paine, and certain note. Also Judgment of
August term Supreme Judicial Court 1857,
ii. w. Paine VS.. Geo. b. Stearns.
George Sampson, affirmed testified: Re-
sided in Hallowell in 1867 purchased the
Stearns' house to live in with my family. Be-
fore purchased had no knowledge that Mr..
Stearns claimed to own it further than Mr..
Sewall told me at the time purchased that
Stearns had written him and said he (SewalD
ought not to sell the house, and that if he did
there would be trouble about it. Had first
conversation with Mrs. Stearns when re-
ceived telegram from Mr.. Sewall saying that
the deed was ready for me- this was the 9th
or eth of September. Told Mrs. Stearns |
had bought the house she seemed surprised;
asked her how long before she would be ready
to leave the house. She replied that she could
not say exactly, but thought it would take at
least four weeks. She said she had thought
of leaving for her daughters, and did not
know but that it would be best l saw her
frequently subsequent to this conversation,
and made known to her my plans, and that l
wished to repair the house. | asked her if |
might begin repairing the house outside
before she left it; she said might i had
workmen place a staging around the house;
this was about the third week in October.
My men were stopped working, and the same
evening received notice from George B.
Stearns through his son to discontinue oper-
atoms; declined to remove the staging unless
was obliged so TO do according to law |
told Mr.. Stearns that thought he had no
right to the house, and that he knew he had
no right to the house; his son said he should
not allow such language in the house. The
staging was removed one morning and thrown
into the street; then Immediately served no.
tice on the family to quit the premises within
thirty days. This was in the last week of
October. Judge Baker wrote the notice and
Mr.. Thompson served it. waited until the
expiration of the thirty days and some fifteen
days beside. l went to Boston and consulted
Mr.. Paine; stated to Mr.. Paine and Mr.
Sewall that had given notice to the parties
to leave the house; this was after the notice
to them had expired. Mr.. Paine advised me
to go to the house and invite the family to
leave; if they did not,i to remove the doors,
windows and furniture. This was a short
time before l went in. On the 9th of Dec. in
the afternoon, l went to Mr.. Pages and asked
Mrs. Page if she would receive the family if
they would 60 out of the house that night;
she and Mrs. Stanley said they would.
took Mr.. Owen as witness and went to Mrs.
Stearns'; Mrs. Best came to the door She
invited us in; soon Mrs. Stearns came into
the room; l told her l had come to take pos
session of the house--that l hal been so ad-
vised by Mr.. Paine, and that had made
provision for her accommodation at Mrs.
Pages. asked her if she thought she had
right to that property. She said she had
her daughter said she had. l went to the
door and my men came in and began to re-
move the furniture; told my men to be very
ia ref,l ahout remnvipu the furnitur e as IL was