Connecticut western news., 1889-03-27
GREAT HARRINGTON.

The trial was begun Thursday of Alexander Jourdan, Paul Favire, Rich ard Farrell, w. A. Adams, Augustus Strube, Dennis Doyle, Joseph Smith, John Keegan. Morris Coleman, Joseph Vincent, William Mccormick, and Wm Clarke, the alleged Housatonic "White Caps," who were arrested for assault with intent to kill, upon Paul Perdrizet and Joseph Audibert on the night of Jan. IA. Ten days previous number of men employed at the Monument mills, went out on strike, and Perdri- zet and Audibert were employed while the strike was in progress. On the night of Jan. IA, the Frenchmen were brutally assaulted on returning home from work. State Detective Pease and the local officers worked mp the case. The arrest of the twelve March 12 was the result of the inv yestigation. Subse- quently Martin Connolly was arrested by Sheriff Landon.
 The District Court room being made quate to accommodate the crowd assem- bled to witness the trial, an adjourn ment was made to the Town Hall. This was quickly filled.
 Perdrizet was called, being one of the victims. He told of two of his countrymen advising him to quit work, as they had done, fearing 8 whipping. He said he and Audibert were followed on the night of the assault, surrounded by dozen men, held by Clarke and another, while Connolly, wearing a white mask, struck him in the face with what seemed to be brass knuckles, knocked him down, pounded and kicked him into insensibility. Five of the assailants attacked him, the others turned on Audibert
 Several other witnesses were also examined, but no evidence was adduced duplicating most of tho prisoners, and when the court adjourned all the defen- dants except Clarke, Connolly, Smith and Jourdan were discharged.
 Lawyer Ely. of Westfeld, appeared for Clarke and Connolly, with B. M. Wood of Pittsfeld,. for Jourdan and Smith, while Hon. Fl. 0. Joyner con- ducted the prosecution. The defense set up an alabi. Connelly's witnesses testified that defendant was in Pittsfield and Adams, where he remained all night at the time at the assault Clarke testified that he was at his brother-in- laws. quarter of mile away; Jourdan was in South Lee, while Smith was at his supper in the Valley House. Law yer Joyner made an eloquent plea, and Notwithstanding the alabis, Judge Shores held the accused for the grand jury, bail being furnished in each case.
 The green house at the old Leavitt place, Brookside, was partially destroy ed by fire Saturday. The gardner was burning over the lawn and the flames getting beyond his control spread to the green house.
 The annual report of the selectmen for the year ending March 18th shows that the total expenses of this town were $60, no for the following purposes Schools, $15, 229; contingent and SUD- port of the poor, $5.72O; roads and bridges, $6, 4O2: military aid, $131 memorial day, SIS; free library, $500 new iron bridge, $1,722; town lot, $57 Blue hill school house. $5O4; Housa- tonic school house, $4, 563; new primary school house. $11, ,5O0; steam heating, $500; bills of previous year, S1,856 town officers, $2,14O; police, $685; board of health, $12O; Christian Hill | crossing, $5, ,OO7: new cemetery, $3, 362; Noxon road, $79; town hall and lot, $904, Green river bridge, $S5O; snow | bills. $2OO