Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1895-11-07
vs.. Titcomb-severnl Members of the
Legislature Put on the stand
Friday


Montpelier, Nov. 1.-To-days session of
Washington County Court opened up at .
O'Clock with quite a large audience pres
ent to witness the examining of witnesses
in the case of State VS.. Titcomb. The first
witness put upon the stand was Senator
r. W. Bailey OF Newbury. He testified
to going with the rest of the delegation
to Roxbury on October q. 1894; was seated
on the porch al the hatchery building
when some one asked him If he didn't
want something to hold in his mouth ana
he said he did; saw bottles there contain
ing liquid, probably whiskey and saw 9TH
ers drink.
Mr.. Porter, representative from West
Burke, was called to the stand and testi-
ned among other things that he called the
stun in the bottles good whiskey; saw
others drink and thought there were but
few in the party who did not drink; bot
ties were plain white glass short neck
quart bottles; didn't remember about ci-
gars being passed around; wasn't smok-
ing that day.
Charles Tier of Walden said: lie didn't
know Titcomb; didn't know what the
commissioners were with the party at the
hatchery for went inside the building
saw some bottles; one was opened, turned
out and drank some: thought it was vhis-
key but had never drank enough to be n
good Judge of the same; didn't notice any
one drinking: bottles were in a trough on.
nsh tank; saw two empty bottles and one
half full.
Orrice Ballard, representative from
Georgia, was next questioned Said he
was not member of fish and game
league; had an invitation from Senator
Allen Of Fair Haven 10 go to RoXbulv with
the rest; went into the buildings Just be-
fore coming home; heard speech of MIR
Titoomb; went in the room where the
trougns were containing the refreshments;
there was lots of going in and coming out:
saw two bottles half full turned some
out and drank it; thought it was whiskcv.
he said 81 would be more sure if | had had
1t rev minutes ago; was in there on.
about one minute; can't bear toba
smoke: his attention was called tc
liquor so thought he would take som,
Mr. Flint of Roxbury said he had
working at the hatchery about three a
having helped build it; had duties a..,ut
Feeding the fish and other general duties
about the hatchery; saw on the aforesaid
day four bottles in the main room of the
hatchery containing some colored liquid
witness exhibited four small thin rlass
tumblers which We're used TO drink out of
saw some drink from tumblers: was or
dered 10 take care of bottles after party
left, which was done by DESTROYING them.
there was box Also left at building which
was about a root square and little more
than foot high: the name or address on
one: box was not there before company ar
rived; witness testified that he was there
in the fall of 1892, when the members of
the Legislature made similar visit and
that liquor was served on this occa sion:
on the 1894 occasion witness ga W respondent
take up "a bottle and invite him to have
some; witness refused: there were from
- to 20 people In the building kept the
four glasses, shown at his home since the
event without any idea that they would
be made use of in court; made no COM
plaint to prosecuting officers: had no in
tcrest In the case; was on friendly terms
with Messrs, Warren and Thcomb
LySandsr NJ. Heath of Roxbury testi-
fed that he saw Tftcomb in the hatchery
building number OF times: saw grapes
cigars and something TO take" in one OF
tho troughs: saw four bottles taken from
a grip by Mr. Tttcomb himself and placed
with the other refreshments; Warren
passed around the cigars; did not drink
himself. but SOW good many others drink
ing; didn't thnk commissioners showed
up the trout very much; met
Mr.. INtcomb at Montpelier Junction about
four years ago. c. +. Adams OF Thetford
testified this afternoon to having seen Tit
comb take bottles and glasses out of tho
grip.
This completed the examination of tho
State witnesses. Senator Bailey was re-
called briefly by the respondents counsel
after which Mr. Britton Of Hartford was
called and sworn. Could not remember
who was in the room while drinking was
going OH but went in with Mr. Warren
g. G. Fletcher was next called Said
that Senator Allen was chairman of Joint
committee on game and fishery at this
tiEe; saw six bottles In n box wrapped
about with paper; saw box opened and 1--WE
bottles put In the trough and one into the
grip; didn't see Titccmb in the hatchery
building; was requested 10 come up TO
Montpelier at this time OF court by Mr.
Cloush of Waterbury; had talked The mat