Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-04-07
Washington County Court,

The spring term of Washington county court
finished its sitting last Thursday, having held ses-
sions somewhat irreguarly for three weeks and
three days. None of the jury trials were of much
Importance, but there has been quite large num-
Der Of important cases left to the decision OF Judge
Redfeld and his associates. In no other county
in Vermont are so many questions of fact and
law left to the judgment OF the court without the
aid OF jury
In the divorce case OF Fred G. Hutchins of
Calais from Lydia NJ. Hutchins, for adultery, a
divorce was granted, making the third this term.
The case OF Margaret McDaniels u.s. John Nc
Daniels has been discontinued.
Melvin r. McCrills OF Barre, who was found
guilty Of selling intoxicating drinks in place Of
public resort, was fined $50 and costs. The
sentence was stayed because his counsel desire to
take the case before the supreme court to decide
question OF law.
J. G. Rice rs. Luther Knapp. This was an action
of trespass. 1t appeared from the evidence that
Luther Knapp Of Mortified leased from J. c.
Rice, also of Mortified, certain premises on Water
street In the aforesaid village, the lease running
five years. In that time Knapp built a balloon
framed barn, in size eighteen by twenty -four feet
II
| agreeing, Rice forced Knapp to move. In re
venge for this Knapp tore the barn down and
moved part of the material, and Rice sued hin
for the damage done by destroying the barn
The question in this case was whether it had moi
| already been settled 1t seems that two Other
men. also living in Mortified, helped Knapp t,
tear down the barn, not knowing that there wa,
any quarrel between him and Rice. The names
of these men were Hugh Thresher and one Silsbee
They in the first OF this suit made co-defend
ants with Knapp. After a while Thresher, t.
clear himself from responsibility In the case, a,
the plaintiff claims, paid to Rice's lawyer, james
n. johnson, eighteen dollars and a little more
but the defendant claimed that this eighteen dol
lars settled the entire suit good deal OF con
| fcting evidence was introduced in regard to th
| point but Judge Rcdfed decided that Knapp haC
not been freed from liability by the payment o
this sum, and gave judgment for the plaintiff t.
recover thirty dollars and costs, and gave full
certificate against the defendant. James N. John
son and Frank Plumley for plaintiff; Heath 6
Carleton for defendant.
The petition of Mrs. Sarah A. Mead to be al
lowed access to her children in accordance will
the order of the court made in 1878, was dene'
by the court. Captain Mead, in his answer
averred that he had been obliged to disobey tina
order, which required him, among other things
| to allow her TO see the children alone from tint
to time, because she had stolen one of them, ant
it was not prudent to allow her to have free &C
cess to them. Mrs. Mead conducted her own case
Mr. George W. Wing appeared for Captain Mead
Ninety weight new cases were entered upon tn
law docket and fifty-four upon the CHANGER.
docket.
The new rules recommended by the bar associ
alton last fall, and adopted by the court last Jan
uary. go into force with the expiration Of tn
present term OF court. 1t is thought that bushes
will be transacted under these rules more speedi
and simply than before. These rules will b
adopted shortly by all the courts in the state.