The Newtown bee., 1895-07-12

IDe cases UI UeUTRo NlCuuls anu Michael CorDett, charged with the firing of the barn belonging to Samuel 5. Camp and the heirs of the estate of Lemuel Camp, were set down for trial on Satur- day before Justice M. J. CaYanaugh but were adjourned till Monday at 9 o'clock | at the Town hall.
 The case of Michael Cor0ett was first considered. Lawyer W. J. Beecher, of the firm of Beecher S Garfield, prose- cuted fer the State and Lawyer W. A. Leonard of Danbury for the accused. The first witness called to the chair was Samuel B. Camp. He stated that he resided in the town of Newtown, Taun- | ton district, and was at home on July l, | the night of the fire. He stated that the barn was located northeast of his resi- dence and was owned by himself and the heirs of the estate of Lemuel Camp. Fred Norton, next called, stated he 1 lived in Amos Camps house, just below Fred Lakes. Was at home on the eVen- l ing of July l, About 9 o'clock he saw two men on the road, George Nichols and Michael Corbett. They were going tow I ard Mr Lakes.
 Fred $. Lake, the next witness, testi- fled he was at home on the evening of July l, and that George Nichols and Michael Corbett came to his house about 9 D. m. and knocked at the back door. | They wanted drink of cider, and MT 1 Lake stated he lit lamp and went down cellar after cider. Corbett drank glass and Nichols a glass and a half. They were there from five to 10 minutes, and then started toward Newtown. Retired shortly after. His wife noticed the re- flection from some fire and called his at Lention to it. That it was about a five minutes walk from his place to the scene s1E tb nn -sAxr i1af Ar Lake testified that his visitors were feel iEg in jolly frame of mind, that they had something to say about their fishing trip and went up the road singing.
 1 Miss Susie A. Camp, next called, stated l that she was at Mrs Addie Nichols on Mt Pleasant, calling, on the night of the fire. That she left there about 9. l5 in company I with her brother, Robert Camp. While I driving home and near the Corbett house she first discovered the blaze, which il- lumined the sky. The fire was plainly ! visible to the naked eye, about an eighth of a mile away. That she saw two men coming up the hill, one Of whom she rec l ogniZed as George Nichols. That she heard whispering and that the men seem- I ed surprised to see them and crouched down. On cross examination she stated that they did not speak to the men. Robert N. Camp was the next to take | the witness stand. He stated that on the evening of the fire at o'clock he was on \ the way from bis home to Mrs Nichols after his sister. That they left there to | return about 9.l5 and when near the Cor | bett house discovered the fire. That his | attention was drawn to two men coming up the hill, one of whom he recognized as George Nichols. That he heard whis- pering. On being further questioned by counsel for the defense he stated he had known Nichols about 10 years. That he thought he heard them whisper, There's somebody" and that they walked along ln a suspicious manner.
 | Miss Hattie Whittet, colOred domes- l tic at J. Albert Blaokman's, was the next l witness, and caused some amusement ln l the way she narrated her story. She tes. l tified that she was at home on the night of the fire, was in her room, saw the re- fieetion from the fire, came down stairs and told Mrs Blackman. That she start ed on a run for the top of the hill anG stopped near the Corbett barn. While standing there she heard voices, and rec ognized one as the voice of Michael Cor bett The counsel for the prisoner theE cross. questioned the witness. Her replies
 were prompt, and convulsed the hearers
 but she stuck to her story.
 Dr Henry 5. Nichols was the next tn
 ness. He stated that his home was in New Haven and that he was at Mrs Mich
 ols' on the night of the fire. That it wal iabout 20 when he started for the firt
 on his bicycle. That he went down tht hill, leading to the scene of the fire, bu
 shortly after returned and stood near th'
 Corbett barn. That while there he heart
 voices within. That he mentioned thi
 fact to several and it was suggested tha the barn be searched. That Ambros
 Blackuan, Charles Briscoe, Samue
 Camp and others, with himself, sur
 rounded the barn. That afterward the,
 entered the barn. That while standin,
 there two men came running up the roat from the lake, one of whom. he recogni2 | ed as Michael Corbett. Thas they wer'
 using profanity and one of them wante'
 to know why they didn't get lanterl
 and go into the barn. That he remained
 at the fire from 10 to b minutes.
 Samuel Camp next test fled. He statel
 that he was about going to bed whe Robert Camp knocked at his door, Ina
 he dressed and went to the fire and late to the Turner place. He described tn
 two trails discovered, which led ava
 from the barn.
 Constable john H. Blackman. who as sisted in making the arrest, testified tha | he went to Taunton, last Friday, in con
 panv with Selectman Glover. That the
 went first to Charles Briscoe's, next Burt Nichols, then up the road by San | uel Camps and toward the hat shor
 That they stopped at the little red house
 searched it, but found Corbett and NicE ols in a little outbuilding and placed tnel under arrest. That Corbett stated the
 went in there to get out of the rain. /. Selectman Glover, who served the wa : rant, described the expedition in Taunto
 substantially as above, and stated Whel
 the men were arrested
 James Robert Cummings next took u
 witness chair. He stated that he was 8
 employe of Samuel Camp. That he sa
 Corbett and Nichols three times on Fl day last. The first time when they we
 ldischarging firecrackers near Burt Nicl
 ols', the second while watering the hor
 when he saw them running down throue
 the lots, and the third time when he sa
 them pass back of the little red hous
 This last occasion was shortly befo
 they were arrested.
 Samuel Camp was again summoned N the witness stand. Asked if he had be
 in the habit of selling cider, he answer - aYes.'' That he had sold to the priso
 CT. but some weeks previous had refus
 l to sell to him. Cross examined Leonard brought out the fact that at u Y time MT Corbett did not appear to be { 1r tended. That he Camp told Corbett d. hadn't any cider to spare. Lawyer Let n- ard at this point asked for adjournmel v 1 which was made to l o'clock, when III arguments were begun.
 Lawyer Beecher opened for the Sta
 and his side of the case could hardly ha
 had mora forcibie presentation.
 opening he explained the law as to prt
 able cause, and touched upon the dr n. and responsibility deyolving upon - justice. He said that the state not ol
 contended that probable cause exist Iia but that the claim was proven by