The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1889-02-01
WEEELER---OXFORD SUIT.
GROUNDS OF THE CLAIM AND
DEFENSE.
Testimony Continued and Arguments.

The defense next called Frank Beebe:
Witness was visiting in Oxford at time
of accident. Heard of accident at p m.
Went up to Stoves place. Found Wheel
err on sofa. Staid there till 10 80 or ii p
m. Was alone with Wheeler. Wheeler
told me that h, did not blame anyone but
himself. Said he could see the road.
Visited the place next morning. Water
appeared to be the same depth. Had no
difficulty In going across Travelled path.
Showing day Of accident. Witness also
heard Wheeler tell how accident occur
red, substantially as given by Mrs
Stowe.
Ole Olsen testified: Visited place even
ing of accident, about 3 O'Clock. Saw
track turn off by north of double button
ball tree. On cross examination: Could
not tell how far IL was from water line to
button ball tree. Had an idea that track
was south of button ball tree. Talked
with Burr about 1t lots of times. Came
to the conclusion that track was not
where first thought 1t to be. Burr didn't
influence change Of opinion. Tracks
went into the water. Couldn't trace
track after II went into the water.
Samuel Knapp; Formerly lived at
Stowe place. There when accident oc-
Cured. Stormy day, showing hard pref
ty much all day. Think snow didn't turn
to rain. Noticed Wheeler pass about 2
m. Couldn't tell whether horse was
sweating. Saw man come up road.
Thought he was man with st. Anthony's
dance or drunk. Went to come in gate
and fell. Mrs Stowe and self cared for
him. Called neighbors. Wheeler said,
when we got him In, 'My sister-in-law is
In the river" Wheeler knew but little.
should consider that he was pretty near
dead. Went down the river around the
place of accident and told Charles N.
Curtiss to go over to Monroe for Wheel
er's wife. Noticed the tracks that night.
Saw tracks In snow and water. could
MT tell where they left the road. Tracks
turned off to the left. Saw Beebe GO
through the water both days. He had
no trouble In doing so. Met Wheeler al
place Of accident 3 or weeks after 1t oc
CURED. Wheeler said he couldn't tel
where he went through. Gloss exami
nation: Saw Wheeler pass about
o'clock. Afterward saw man with cat
tie; the man rode in some sort of four
wheeled concern. Couldn't tell WHERE
water line or snow line was. Have seei
water Is feet deep on the road. Thi
was no more than an ordinary overflow
Charles French: First heard of acct
dent at O'Clock. Went up to Stow
place. Heard Wheeler tell how the acct
dent happened. Saw carriage pulled GU
OF hole next day. One line under left lei
of horse.
Mr. Llmburner: First selectman or
wears. Have been over road many times
Never has been any great amount of fill
ing on the causeway. Thought the onl
way to remedy the trouble would be {
raise the whole river road above the lin
OF extraordinary ice and river fresheti
Town couldn't afford to do this. Est
mated II would cost $4,000 to fix th
Mace In question. Couldn't keep railin
there. Put up tenders at lower place
Remained four or five years; were the
swept away. Never heard of travellt
being injured there before. Pond did ne
show. Didn't look as II It needed pr
lection. Grand list of town $362,27
Present tax IL mills. Town In del
$4,000 or $4,000. Been in debt 40 year
Cross examination. There Is no oths
place where there is a pond hole. n
such pond or pool as that within
feet of the highway, anywhere else. Oh
reason why we have not repaired Il
road IL because we could not afford
No difficulty in placing railing ther
but ID wouldn't stay.
Hobart Booth: Live In Oxford. Hee,
Of accident. Went up to Stoves plat
and heard Wheeler tell how It took plac
wheeler didn't say how far he drove in
The water. Said bis horse plunged rigl
on sideways. Said his object was to g
hack over the smooth place to the big
wav. said he could see his way througl
Reuben Stowe: Live in Stowe plac
wheeler passed me ON way down fro
y south Britain. Wheeler was not drivir
fast. Two miles from accident, Hor
.aldn't look a. II driven hard. Hear
wheeler tell about the accident. Me-
day horse was pulled out; rein uhd
left leg. Cross examination Repeat'
1yheeler's version OF how the accide
orc~rred. substantially Al given by NJ
Stowe Il last BEE. Wheeler's horse W
( & <-..-<-I... ~ionS ns they passed nae. WI