Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-02-19
The Ease of Mrs, Stack,


EDITOR OF FREEMAN:-Some remarks
in your last. regarding the recent death OF
the above named rersen, seem to call LOT
some explanation from some one able to
furnish it. ASH was officially connected
with the case, will briefly state the facts
regarding the matter.
Mrs. Stack had been known, for some
time previous to her convictions as vender
of intoxicating drink. King street, where
she lived, had come to be regarded as Il
very pandemonum Of rowdyism and
drunkenness. Her illegal traffic was
though-in fact, known-to have not a
little to do in causing this demoralizing
State of things. The legal proof was not
developed till early in September last
when one of Der patrons was arrested IN
drunken spree and disclosed on her. She
was arraigned for the offence and plead
guilty of two first Offences and fined rs
the law demands, $1,000 for each offence
and costs, making S27.6O in all. She did
not pay, but was allowed to go. on her
promise to do so in day or two. No Mrs.
Stack appearing, | wrote her in about II
week to come and settle. No attention
was paid to my letter. Another week
more or lesS-elapsed and then mittlmus
was put in Dept. Sheriff Avery's hahds
which directed him to collect Of her the
fine and costs, or, in default thereof, 10
take her to Jail, rs she was known to nave
the means to pay. The means consisted
of deposits in bank, from which she could
have drawn and paid her fine within Ill
teen minutes. If not really hers, they
were in her name and wholly subject to
her control. What more urgent need
than to keep out of Jail, if her physical
condition was such as to enddnger her life
to be sent there? Thus matters rested
for over four months. The officer called
on her repeatedly to get settlement.
She was made 10 understand she must pay
or 90 to Jail. Mr.. Avery, during the III
term, had set several times for Mrs. Stack
to be prepared to settle or accept the
alternative. He had eased off with her
at such times because she claimed 10 be
nnwcll, until he had grown suspicious she
might be shammnS Not wishing longer
to daily with her, nor force her to leave
her home if really unwell, about the mid
die of the first week In February, he TOOK
Dr., o. o. Davis, physician in regular
standing and formerly Of quite extensive
practice. along with him, and notified her
she must 90 to Montpelier with him. if able,
unless she paid fine and costs. The doctor
satisfied himself she was we'll enough 10
90, with which she agreed, in fact, claim
ed that as one of her well days, and fur
Their told Mr.. Avery she would as soon go
with him in II sleigh as in the cars. The
money not being Forthcoming, he took her
along at once, arriving at the Jail late in
the afternoon or early in the evening. Mr..
Dudley warmed the ladies apartment of
the jill for her, TO which she was shown
ut bed time, She sent word by Mr.. Avery
10 any who inquired for her that she was
" happy" in her new quarters.
In view of these facts, where rests the
fault or blame in the mattcrp Certainly
not with the authorities at Mortified, for
they bore with her till forhcarancc was no
longer II virtue. Some have argued that
her usage was hard and unjust because
she was convicted of furnishing cider only.
There is no difference in the eye of the law
whether man imbibes the alcohol that
makes him drunk from Il glass Of whiskey,
Il quart of cider, or two quarts of lager
beer. 1t is the effect produced that the
law is looking after. In closing would
administer u word of censure to the
powers that be-" that more vigilance is
not used in closing the high schools of
vicc-or drinking places that are cla,sed
rs "re>pectable from which so many
graduate downward, till they are ready to
take their drinks wherever they can get
them.
Dr.. Davis spoken Of above is IL regular
diplomalizod graduate of Dartmouth Col
lrgc, with near Il dozen years of medical
practice in Lowell, Mass, and considerable
in other places, besides some years surg-
clI practice during the war. He was also
fpr some ten years II member Of the Mass
.chnsettS medical society, of which he has
shown me the evidence. He is regarded
rs II skilful practitioner and is frequently
called in for consultation in difficult cases.
ID. T. AvERILL,
Justice of the Peace.
Northiield, February 18th.