The Republican journal., 1896-10-29
Supreme Judicial Court.
JUDGE FOSTER PRESIDING,

LdSt week was quleG one IN Gne supreme
Court, but one case being tried by jury. The
traverse jurors were excused Thursday af-
ternoon to Monday morning. Friday fore
noon was devoted to hearing divorce cases,
etc, and the Court suspended at noon until
Monday. The case tried was
jeremiah G. Thompson vs. Isaac Hills. an
action on account for bedstead, ETC., bought
by defendants wife and delivered at his
house. The defendant claimed that the
goods We're bought without his knowledge
or consent and that he had publicly forbid
den all persons from trusting anybody ON
his account. Verdict for plaintiff for S26 r.
Dunton for plaintiff. Brown for defendant
The following attorneys were in attend
ance the past week from other counties: O.
r. Fellows, Bucksport L. M. Staples, Wash
| ing; R. r. Ulmer, Rockland; j. w. Manson,
Pittstield Jos. Williamson, Jr., Augusta
Court opened Monday with the case of r.
A, Gurney VS.. James W. Burgess. 1t was
tried before drawn jury, who viewed the
place in question in the forenoon. The ac-
tion brought to recover for damages to
plaintiffs mill near the Head of the Tide,
Belfast, in the freshet of March 1st, it is al
legged by reason of the cutting of ice by the
defendant above the plaintiffs premises.
The plaintiff claims that by reason of the
cutting the ice above the mill caused the
great mass of ice in the river to come down
upon the mill and wreck it. The defendant
claims that the cutting did not contribute to
the accident, but that the ice came from
farther up the river; also that the mill stood
out into the stream to a distance that was
unsafe when ice was running in the river.
Judge Foster charged the jury that if they
found the cutting of the ice to be the princi-
pal cause of the damage to the mill, then
the defendant is liable and damages should
be assessed accordingly. If, however, they
found that the cutting was not the principal
cause, even though it might have contribut-
ed to the result, then the defendant is not
liable The jury Went cut about o'clock
Tuesday afternoon and returned in about an
hour with verdict for the defendant. Dun
ton for plaintiff Mcclellan for defendant.
Fred Rackliff vs.. John r. Hurd. Action
to recover 81 900 for personal injuries from
an assault alleged to have been made by
the defendant upon the plaintiff. The par
ties We're members of Farmers Pride Grange
of Lincolnvllle, and after the meeting Feb
10, 1896, as plaintiff claims, two other
members Were engaged in conversation
about some matters pending in the grange.
Mr.. Hnrd stepped up to them and threatened
to strike one, when Mr.. Rackliff interfered
and Hurd stopped and struck Rackliff
knocked him over a settee, after which he
choked him. The defendant claims that the
plaintiff struck the first blow, and that
whatever he did was in self defense Yer
diet for defendant. Thompson & Wardwell
for plaintiff, Dunton for defendant.
The following divorces have been decreed:
Mabel E. Thomas, Freedom from Charles
W. Thomas, Belfast.
Matte A Ladd, Stockton Springs from
Hiram A. Ladd Stockton Springs
Mary l.. Burgess, Belfast, from John n.
Burgess, of parts unknown.
Mabel E. Borneman, Searsmont from Will
A. Borneman, of parts unknown
Ida NJ. Cole, Winterport, from Barney A.
Cole, Wlnterport, custody of minor children
to mother.
A Knox county habeus corpus case was
heard Thursday. Joseph Durant, sailor,
of Boston, was tried before "A trial Justice IN
Ninalhaven for assault, and was committed
to the Jail in Rockland under the name of
joe. The prisoner claimed that he was
illegally imprisoned inasmuch as the mitti-
mus on which he was committed did not
state any time of Imprisonment, or order
him to be held for a higher court. He APP
piled to Judge Foster for a writ of habeus
corpus and after a hearing was discharged
from arrest. Timer of Rockland for petition
er.
CRIMINAL DOCKET.
The criminal docket contained 134 old
cases, several of which have been received
back from the Law Court and are ready for
sentence. There are II new cases appealed
from lower courts. The Grand Jury report
ed Thursday afternoon, after session of
three days. They found 20 indictments as
follows:
Justin Burdin, assault; Frank A. Choate,
breaking and entering Fred Davis, larceny;
Fred Davis and Llewellyn Moore, larceny;
Chas. P. Brown, single sale; +. C. Atwood,
Frank 7. Pease, HI. A. Bolan, John Drew,
Frank Park sherman W. Freeman, Joseph
A. Gilmore, l.. l.. Gentner, W. E. Grnnell.
Asa A. Howes, Edward A. Jones, NJ r.
Knowlton, Gustavus G. Klgore, R. H.
Moody, G. o. Poor, common sellers.
THE liquor indictments against the local
druggists are said to be based upon their
holding United States license, which is
necessary for the legitimate conduct of their