Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-10-01
CHITTENDEN COUNTY COURT.
Verdict for the Plaintin in Hatch VS.. Cor
don-The williston Tax Case.

uOn-t nt w hhh NhSts
AT the opening of County Court Thurs
day morning, H. f. Wilbur made the clos
ing argument in the case of Mary H. Hatch
vs. Truman II. Gordon, after which the
court charged the jury. The latter retired
about 1890 u. m. and remained out until 4
pm, when they returned verdict of
s5O.97 for the plaintiff. The amount claim
ed was $3.50 and interest for about six
years and it is understood that the jury at
first stood six to six, the final verdict be-
ing compromise. Although exceptions
were noted the case Will probably not be
appealed.
4 jury was empanelled next in the case
of w. y. Murray vs.. the town of Willis
ton, in which Smith Wright appears as
the agent of the town. This is an action
brought by the plaintiff as executor of the
estate of his father, ID. y. Murray, to re
cover taxes paid under protest by the latter
in the year 1884 with interest to the present
time, the items being highway tax, S33.32,
town tax S24 % and school tax Sl6.S5. The
ground taken was that the grand list
was illegal, not having been made out on
time and the listers not having given no.
tice to delinquent taxpayers according to
law. The defendant claimed that in the
case of the highway tax, action was barred
by the statue of limitation, the tax hav-
ing been paid more than Il year before the
suit was brought and the court so
ruled and the plaintiff excepted.
With reference to the town tax the de
PENDANT claimed that only portion of the
amount could be recovered on the ground
that part of the grand list was legal. The
court ruled, however, that the whole
amount could be recovered with interest
to the present time. The defence also
claimed If the jury found that the school
hn 4 1.,1 - L.,
school districts before the suit was begun
the amount of that item could not be re
covered. The court so ruled and left
1t to the jury to ascertain whether
the money had been so divided
at the time the action was begun. Evl-
dence was taken ON this point and Ethe
case was closed, Henry Ballard making
the opening and closing argument for
the plaintiff and w. &. Shaw for the de
PENDANT. In giving the case to the jury
the court informed them that If Il verdict
was agreed upon last night it could be
sealed and rendered this morning.
The jury calendar was called over and it
was announced that the case of William
johnson vs. Whitney Il Blanchard was
settled. Court then took recess till this
morning. 1t is understood that the grand
jury will be ready to report some time this
forenoon.
Verdict for the Plaintin in the Williston
Tax Case Report of the Grand jury.
On the coming in of the County Court
Friday morning the jury in the case of W
y. Murray against the town of Williston
who had come to an agreement early the
evening previous, rendered verdict i'm
favor of the plaintiff for $27.73. The next
case taken up was that of Joseph Brooks
against Thomas Gadieu for the recovery
of damages to COW sustained in May,
1850, through the alleged carelessness of
the defendant. The evidence occupied the
greater part of the day and l.. f. Wilbur
made the opening argument for the plain
till before the close of the days business.
The further disposition of cases was an
nounced as follows: Cora f. Lucia VS.
William +. Sheldon, settled w. s. Nay
vs.. Thomas Carvill, judgment for plain
tin town of Huntington VS.. A. II. Ches
more, referred to w. =. Dillingham; The
case of George Alger vs.. Ray O. Castle
was set for trial Monday afternoon.
REPORT OF THE GRAND JURY.
The grand jury, who had been engaged
in their Investigations since the converting
of court, came in and reported about 1916
pm. True bills were found, it is under
stood, in about a dozen cases, and bills
were llOl lOlluU III several cases, among
the latter being that of Croto, who has
been confined in Jail some time charged
with stealing watch, and Hugh Cos
grove, who was bound over on the charge
of burning j. Walkers barn and who was
admitted TO bail. With reference to other
matters the grand jury reported as fol
lows:
To the Honorable Chittenden County court
September Term, 1856.
rb, IL,
ana sworn al said term, respectfully submit
the following report
We have made suitable inquiry and hnc
that the interest ON the United states deposit
fund. IN the several towns and city in salt
county has annually been duly paid for the
support of the schools
We have also examined the Jail in the cit
of Burlington and find it clean and in gooC
order, and apparently rs well kept as ii cal
be, considering the character of the building
We have also examined the house connected
with the jail, occupied by the sheriff and I'm,
il neat and well cared for, but very ucon
vcnicnt and not suitable for the purpose fol
which il i used.
In our opinion it would be poor economy t,
cNpend much money in repairing said Jail o.
jIIl house. But we earnestly recommend tha
new and suitable buildings for said purpose
be bu 1t as soon as may be; jail with mod
ern improvements that will secure the SAT,
keeping OF the prisoners put therein, ant
also admit of the officer in charge properly
caring for them without endanEering lie o.
limb, and house that will bc comfortable
and convenient for the shcrsn ana his family
l.. +. TERRITI,
Foreman.
When court convenes this morning ar
guments for the defendant in Brooks VS.
Gadieu will be made by &. W. Wales ant
| II, N Deavltt, and II. +. Wolcott vii
close for the plaintiff. 1t is expected tina
at noon court will take recess unit
! Monday,
Verdict for the Plaintiff in Brooks v.
Gadieu-The New Entries.
The attention of County Court Satur
day forenoon was entirely taken up wit
the case of Joseph Brooks vs. Thoma
Gadeu. On the opening of court q. W
Wales and H. \. Deavitt made the opel
ing and closing arguments for the defend