Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1894-08-02

OIllcer Thompson testified that he
was called to Mr.. Wheeler's house on
Christmas day, and after consulting his
book of clues he made an examination
which resulted in finding pistol and
a Jack-llnife which he knew belonged
to Mr.. Cannon. He heard of the cock
fight in Balls barn, and went there for
the purpose of making raid. All the
crowd with one exception got away,
that one being DIR. Campbell, who got
stuck in scuttle. He did not run after
the escaping criminals, as that would
be beneath the dignity of an officer of
the law. He also saw Mr.. Cannon
there in company with the rooster
That closed the testimony for the prose-
cution.
| Mr.. Cannon testified in his own be-
half. On being asked if he was guilty
or not guilty he said he would rather
hear the evidence before pleading. His
counsel, however, entered plea of not
guilty. He testified that on the night
in question he had been visiting sick
brother member of the'Iron Hall, and
was going home about IL O'clock when
he saw what he thought was man in
an intoxicated condition. When he got
nearer he saw it was Capt. w. II. Tay-
! Tor, and knew of course that his sus-
picions We're ungrounded. Capt. Tay-
lor claimed to be suffering from an at
tack of vertigo and Mr.. Cannon assisted
him home. He stood him up against
the door so that he would fall inward,
pulled the bell and went home. Mr..
Cannon denied taking the bell with
him, though he acknowledged that he
has quite pull about here. The next
morning he mentioned the fact of his
helping Capt. Taylor home to few
friends, in strict confidence. Might
have told 100 or $50 of it. Capt. Taylor
got mad about it and threatened re-
venge. He stated positively that he
was at the cock-fight at Balls barn on
Christmas day, though his counsel did
not want him to say SO. He explained
his being there by saying that he was
out walking out with his pet rooster,
Mahomet, the same on exhibition in
the court room, and suddenly Nahomet
scented the battle from afar and made
a bee line for Balls barn. OF course he
followed to catch his pet, and the re-
mark made about betting SO was that
his bird could run faster than any
rooster in town. Cross examination
did not break down his testimony to
any extent. He said Mr. Wheeler was
crank, and particularly on the sub
I ject of ROSTERS He also testified that
Mr.. Wheeler is generally sober, only
going on spree once a year. That is
on the 3lst of May, and lasts till about
the first Of next May, when he sobers
up in time to re-organize the Bellows
| Falls brass band
The next witness was A. F. Sparrow,
who said he was newspaper man but
formerly practiced medicine. He had
made a special study of monomania.
A monomaniac is a person who is a
crank on some particular subject,
such as on the subject of love or
acquiring wealth, like some he knew.
Mr.. Wheeler was monomaniac on the
subject of Plymouth Rock ROSTERS. He
has habit of stopping suddenly in a
conversation and asking the person
when he is going to return that rooster
which he stole. He has been known
! to 90 into the National bank and ac-
cuse Cashier Hadley of stealing his
rooster and ask for the loan ofthe bank
safe for an incubator. AT the fair at
Alstead last fall Mr.. Wheeler hung
about the poultry exhibit and claimed
everything in the shape of ROSTERS that
| he saw. The facts are the complainant
never owned but one rooster and that
4 committed suicide several years ago
/ He saw Mr.. Cannon chasing his rooster
on last Christmas afternoon and the
rooster ran much better than certain
candidates for the postoffice in the
present fight. He believed Mr.. Wheeler
| 10 DG HAL w uO NOlhS w SctoiAJ 10
induced by evil minded persons to be
lieve that he had lost what he never
possessed and make complaint agains
( an innocent man, as had been done il
; this case.
) J. HI. Blakley testified that he at
) tended the cock-fght and saw Mr.. Can
, non there with his rooster, Mahomet
: He knew that the rooster belonged t
: Mr.. Cannon because he was presen
/. when Dan Higgins sold it to him. II
| also overheard conversation between
s Capt. Taylor and another man, in whic
! they agreed to get Wheeler to hav
: Cannon arrested for larceny, sayin
e they could hire the officer to swear
ANYTHING for SIS. He intended to tie
o Mr.. Cannon but was taken sick an
il when he recovered he forgot all abou
Il it till the case came into court.