davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-05-15
ROBERT l.. M'CAMNION.
A Travelling Man Tells About Van Ness
House Liquor.


Robert l.. McCammon, in a deposition
taken at Rutland, said that he was q travel
ing salesman, and ever since Mr.. Drew left
the American house had stopped 10 or Il
times year at the Van Ness house. The
examination proceeded thus
@. You may state whether or not you ever
purchased intoxicating liquor, ale, cider or
lager beer in the Van Ness house. A. ANY
time | wanted it; l purchased it with nv
meals.
Q. And what kind of liquor? A. Bass ale
@. About how many times have you pur-
chased Bass ale in the Van Ness house: A.
Oh, don't know the exact number Of times
possibly % or more.
Q. How many times would you be willing
to swear to, Mr.. McCammon! A. Well, in
the ten Years going there ! think | should
be willing to swear to 20 easy enough.
@. And how was that Bass ale ordereds
A. From the head waiter in the dining room.
Q. And what conversation would you
have with the head waiter? A. Tell him
wanted bottle of Bass ale.
q. That is all! A. Yes.
q. What would he say: 4. He would go
and get it.
@. How long would he be gone? A. Not
any longer than at some hotels | have
stopped; the ordinary time.
Q. Aud what was the manner of paving
for il; how did you pay for IL! A. | paid
for it in the bill at the Office.
Q. And who was at the office? 4. The
clerk, Mr.. Clark, or some of the Others there.
Q. Aud was that the manner of paying for
it at all times: A. That is all the way have
paid for it.
q. DO YOU remember the occasion of being
present with Mr.. +. ID. White. A. Yes, sir,
Q. You may state whether OF not YOU had
anything TO drink there: \. Yes, sir; two
bottles OF Bass ale.
q. Who was present In the dining room
besides Mr.. White and yourself: A. There
were number there; there was some Judge
there at the table with us, don't remember
his name-kind of an Odish man.
Q. On that occasion when You and Mr..
White were there. who ordered the ale and
who paid for il; A. did
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-05-15
w. 1. JONES.
Beer offered when He Didn't Want 1t

w. |. Jones of Rutland, in a deposition
taken at Rutland, said that he was manager
of the local Kelley institute and had stopped
at the Van Ness house. The examination
proceeded u'
@. Have you ever seen any Intoxicating
liquor exposed for sale in that house? A. |
have.
Q. wish you would state just the circum-
stances under which you saw that? A. |
think it was year ago last summer; | was
stopping at the Van Ness house and stepped
up to the counter and asked Mr. Clark where
could get glass of Saratoga water. He
directed me downstairs and told me to ask
the man in charge of the billiard room. |
did so and he stepped in through sort OF
passage leading out of the billiard room and
behind an Enclosure there, open in front. He
reached down and as he did so he remarked
"We do not make Il practice of selling every.
body, but we have to keep a little here fol-
our guests" and h" took up in his hand 4
bottle of Bass ale. | said that was not what
| wanted, asked for Saratoga water. He
said every WE'LL" and opened bottle OF
Saratoga water.
Q. SO you did not purchase any intoX
eating liquor then: A. No, sir.
Q. And did you want to purchase any? A
No, sir,
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-05-15

@. Now what time of the day would that
be, Mr., Farnhamy A. 1t was generally in
the evening.
@, Aud how late at night would you be
served liquor at the Van Ness houseg A,
have forgotten that
Q. Well about how latey A. Well, per-
haps II O'Clock at the outside.
@. Aud what kind of glasses were these
glasses that were brought up on the trayy
A. don't remember that.
O. Do you remember the size! A. | do
not.
Q, You say you ordered this of the bell
boyy A. Yes, sir.
@. Did you attend the commercial mems
banquet in lSOiy A. | am not positive
whether It was '9i or '93; | think 1t was in
'9i.
@, Well, state whether or not you attended
the commercial mems banquet! A. Yes, sir,
/ did.
@. And about how many were present
that nightg A. | should think there were
$50.
Q. Was Gov. Woodbury. there! A. He
was. -
Q. Do you remember where he was seated ?
A. At the lower end of the dining room, at
the center Of table, as | remember.
Q. And where were you seated! A. Near
the door at the entrance.
Q. Did they have any Intoxicating liquor
theres A. Champagne.
Q. About how many bottles of the cham
pagney A.. That | could not tell
q. Did you sec the bottles! A. did.
| Q. About how many bottles would you say
We're on the tables! A. could not remem
| Der that.
Q. State whether great number or few
A. could not state; oh. % at least.
.. And were people drinking out of thest
| bottlesg A. The most of them.
Q. Well, from where Gov. Woodbury. sa
could he see these bottlesg A. He could.
@. Do you recall whether there were any
bottles near the GOVERNOR A. was seatet
so far away | could not tell.
Q. Did you drink champagne that night
so you know it was champagne! A. Yes
sir; l am positive.
Q. Who served that champagne. A.
was served by the walters.
Q. And did you recognize any of the wal,
ers? A. did not.
Q. You think they were the same waiter
that were usually there! A. l think so;
should say so.
@. Do you know Mir. De We're: A. do.
Q. Was he there that night? A. coul
not say.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-05-15
IRA G. FARNHAM.
Another Travelling Man Tells Similar
Story.

Ira 6. Farnham of Poultney, in deposit
lion taken at Rutland, said that he was
druggist, but that for nine years before
April 1, 1895, he stopped about once month
at the Van Ness house. His examination
continued thus -
q. lou may state whether or not you ever
procured intoxicating liquor, ale, cider or
lager beer at the Van Ness house during that
time: A. have.
Q. About how many times: A. Well.
could not say positively, a number of times.
q. Well, tell us. A. | may have procured
it there 30 times, | may have more times;
| would swear to %.
Q. Aud what kind of liquor was 1t that
Won procured? A. Whiskey or beer.
@. Any other kind of liquory A. / might
have procured a cocktail, l would not swear
to that; / remember | never was refused
whiskey and always got what | called for.
q. And how was this liquor served to YOU,
Mr.. Farnham! A. / never had it served to
me in the dining room; it was always served
in my room.
Q. And how was it served in your room:
A. would ring up the bell boy aud give
the order and it was served to me in the room
on tray.
@. You may state whether or not the
liquor that you procured was in glasses or
bottles: A. Well, | would not swear that
il was in glasses, although think it was in
glasses at times, but know that we bad il
in bottles; II might have been in bottles and
the glasses on tray, | would not swear that
IL was in glasses.
q. You say that YOU will swear that glasses
were brought with the bottles: A. Ger
tainiy.
Q. And these glasses were on tray; y.
Yes, sir.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-05-15
HENRI BRANCHAUD.
Social Games and Fluids in the Hotel.


Henri Branchaud of Rutland, in deposit
ton taken at Rutland, said that he was a
railway postal clerk and, ending about three.
years ago, had for six years stopped great
deal at the Van Ness house. The examina-
ton proceeded
@. Did you ever purchase any intOxlcat-
ing liquor, ale, cider or bee. at the Van
Ness house? A. In what way?
Q. In any way? A. | never bought any
from the bell boy myself.
@. How did you purchase it? A. The
only time l ever remember was when we
were having game of whist or cards, and
we Clipped together and got it.
Q. How did you order it? A. | didn't
order it myself, some one else rang the bell !;
somebody came to the door and we gave
them the money.
Q. Who was there on that occasion: A..
Well, two or three different occasions. Mr..
Ashley aud Mr.. Clark, Herbert Clark, pro.
prietor, he was back of the desk, we called
him Herb.
Q. Do you remember of any other occa-
sion when Mr.. Clark was in the room that
you were playing cards when liquor was
brought? A. think | played twice with
Mr.. Clark.
@. Was liquor brought on these occasions !:
A. would think it was on both; could
swear positively TO once at least.
Q. And was it paid for then? A. We
Clipped in and paid for it.
Q. Do you remember any other occasion
when you had any in the rooms? Il. What
way?
Q. In any way? A. / believe ! drank once
with p. NJ. Meldon.
Q. Do you remember any other occasion:
A. Only when or my friends mad it in my
grip and took it before meals.
g. Have you seen it in the dining room !!
A. [ could not say on how many occasions.
@. How many occasions? A. l could not
state; it was not anything that would re-
member.
@. What did you see and in what manner?
A. | have seen guests have bottle of Bass
ale set at their plate aud drink from it.
@. How was it served and by whom: A..
Mr.. De We're. We sat at the entrance and he
generally opened it at cupboard near us.
1t was the only thing ever saw him open,
this Bass ale.
@. Quite frequently or otherwise! A.
During the time remember was while there
was some school of languages there, he
opened the bottle for two men, and / Won
dered if they were there at the school. Once
| saw him open bottle of claret, it said said
on it "St. Julien"
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-05-15
LOUIS G. BASS.
Boston Business Man Visited the Van
Ness House Several Times.

Louis c. Bass of Boston, in a deposition
taken at Boston April a. said that he had
been at the Van Ness house several times,
and in response to question as to procuring
liquor there said -
A. have obtained Intoxicating liquor in
the Van Ness house two or three times. The
first time, in my memory, was in the winter
of 1891. | came up one morning on the early
train, and was very cold, and applied for
glass of whiskey. The night clerk directed
the porter to get me some, and was taken
down stairs into the basement or cellar, and
down to a room formerly the barber shop, If
/ remember and given a glass of whskey,
for which paid the night clerk. This was
about O'Clock In the morning, or immed-
ately after the arrival of the night train which
comes from Boston over the Fitchburg road.
Another time was some time in August,
1898, on Sunday. was to go out of town
with three gentlemen on that day
to point where it would be in
convenient to obtain luncheon, and
| ordered luncheon put for me while at
breakfast at the Van Ness house, of the
waitress In charge of the room and the
luncheon consisted mainly of sandwiches,
and / ordered bottle of claret, all to be put
in basket, and 1t was furnished as ordered.
The gentlemen with me were Il. +. Brownell
of Burlington. j. W. Woodman, then of
Boston, and Ralph Weller. They did not
obtain breakfast, but went with me.
Another time when l drank wine at the
Van Ness house was between the Goth and
2Sth of October, 1898, when | took dinner
with c. W. Lassell, the president of the
Whiting Machine works of Whitingsyille,
Mass. He also invited Mr.. Brownell, and
obtained at that time with the dinner Il bottle
of champagne, which we drank.
Q. Referring now the luncheon with
which you say you Sbought the bottle of
claret, is there anything connected with that
luncheon which serves to fix 1t particularly
in your mind? A. There is. The waitress
knew well that the luncheon was for four,
and there were four sandwiches, which con-
sisted of the entire solid portion of the
luncheon, and quart bottle of claret; 1t
appeared to be somewhat out of proper
ton.
@. By whom was that claret paid for, and |
where was it paid for? A. 1t was paid for
by me when paid my bill at the hotel.
Q. Referring now to the last occasion upon |
which you say You drank champagne with |
Mr.. Lassel and Mr.. Brownoll-of whom did |
Mr.. Lassell order the wine! A. OF the head |
waiter.
o. What was said by the head waiter when |
the order was given in reference to the fur |
nishiug of the wine, if anything: A. So far
as recolleot, nothing.
q. Was there any intimation, or suggestion,
1t would be necessary to 20 out of the house
TO procure that wine: A. Ny memory does
not serve me that there was.
O. Do YOU remember what kind of glasses
that was served in: A. My recollee-
ton is that 1t was small upright cham
payne glass-a straight champagne glass or
tum6ler
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-05-15
JUDGE MYRoN w. BAILEY.
Direction by Manager Clark About
Getting Liquor.

Myron W. Bailey of st Adams, in depo-
sition taken at st. Adams April 81, said that
he was judge of probate for Franklin county
and was acquainted with Mr.. Clark, manager
of the Van Ness house. The examination
proceeded
@. About the time Bishop Hall was elected
at the Episcopal convention at Burlington,
were you at Burlington and at the Van Ness
house? A. / was.
@. State whether or not you saw and had
any talk with Mr.. ii. n. Clark on that Occa-
sion? A. cannot tell which occasion it was,
whether at that election or at the time they
elected Mr.. Hart, which was previous to the
time they elected Mr.. Hall.
Q. Upon either of those occasions did you
hear anything said about Intoxicating liquor
at the Van Ness house between Mr.. Clark
and anybody else, or Mr.. Clark and yourself
state fully in regard to it? A. ON that occa-
sion, which was 1894 | think, ] was in the
Office Of the Van Ness house conversing with
Mr.. Clark, and gentleman stepped up and
spoke to Mr.. Clark and asked where the bar
was; Mr.. Clark said they had no bar and
kept no liquors; that II he would 90 to his
room and ring the bell, the bell boy would
get him what he wanted.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-05-15
FRANK ELDRED.
Travelling Salesman Familiar With
the Van Ness House.

Frank Eldred of st. Adams, in deposit
was a druggist, but up to November, 1894.
was travelling salesman for II years and had
stopped at the Van Ness house great many
times. He had drank Bass ale at the table Z;
didn't know how many times, but knew that
he had once and paid for it at the hotel Office
He had drank whiskey in room; he thought
it was in the republican state committees
room at the time of convention. The
examination proceeded thus
@. Did you make and sign statement of
what you knew in relation to this matter!
Objection by plaintiff as immaterial, irrel-
eyant.)
A. think | made statement to Mr..
Stewart and Mr.. Burt.
Q. In that statement signed by you, did
you say: 81 have seen liquor drank
in the rooms at said house and
have seen others drink there many
times. have seen it paid for in the rooms.
| have paid for liquor at the office in said
house many times. have paid Herb Clark
the superintendent and manager of said Van
Ness house. | have paid the clerks at the
office many times. bought liquor whenever
and all occasions wanted 1t; | have had
beer and ale served at the table in sail Van
Ness house and paid for it at the office to
the manager and clerk many times, cannot
tell how many; there never was any trouble
in getting all the liquor | wanted and when
| desired and they not secret or opposed to
furnishing it to u.s."
objection as incompetent, immateral and
irrelevant.)
@. Did you subscribe and make oath to an
affidavit containing that statement?
Same objection.)
A. did sign that statement, but what
understand this covers two periods, / won't
swear that | saw anybody drink liquor in
the rooms over eight years ago, but will
swear that have seen them within the last
eight.
@. Now, referring to the last eight years,
how frequently have you seen liquor drank
In rooms at the Van Ness house? A.
couldn't state how many times | have.
q. Whether very few times or a good
many times! A. A good many times, |
should think.
@. How would this liquor be ordered?
A. BY ringing the bell and calling the bell
boy.
@. When and where would 1t be paid fors
A. | don't know rs | can recall any time of
seeing IL paid anywhere; | think any liquor
/ ordered myself in room that / paid the
bell boy or any body ordered it Of
q. When ii was ordered of the bell boy
what, If any, objection did he make to bring
ing it, or what did he say if anything except
to so and bring 1t? A. don't remember of
his making any remarks.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-05-15

q, Did you know this gen;emanY A. |
did not, he was a stranger to me.
Q, Was that all that was said upon that
ocCasiong A. That is all that recall.
q. Before you came to the Weldon house
today, has GOV. Woodbury. been TO see your
A. He called at my house to see me.
@, Have you had any conversation with
different parties in your Office in relation to
this matter, and did YOU tell anybody, Wilbur
L, Davis, Orrice Ballard, w. ID. Stewart or
anybody else that Mr., Clark said to the
stranger go to his room and liquor would be
sent up. A. cannot say, know | talked
with Wilbur L. Davis, and | think with
Orrice Ballard, and | know did with Mr..
Stewart, and think used the same express
sion have here, "that whatever they wanted
would be sent up and | supposed had
reference to liquor, but nothing was said
about liquors.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-05-15

A Newspaper Editor Tells About a Re-
publican Convention.

publican Convention.
ton taken at Rutland, said that he was ed
itor of the Fair Haven Record. In response
to question about Intoxicating liquor in the
Van Ness house he said -
A.. AT the time of the state convention in
1892 | was there; it was when Mr. Fuller was
nominated. We ordered beer at our rooms
by bell boy.
Q. About how many persons were In the
room? A. | don't remepber; there were
quite number. We had Visitors from the
county and five or six of the delegates.
Q. Can you give the names. A. Some
Mr.. Webster of Hubbarton, Mr.. Reed of
Fair Haven, MI Wescott of Fair Haven, Mr.
Wood of Fair Haven, Mr.. Plat of poultney,
and also Mr.. Lawrence of Rutland, and
think j. C.. Jones.
@. About how many bottles of beer We're
there in the room! A. | could not tell in the
beginning; quite number before morning.
O. How many before morning? A.
should think, certainly, three or FIVE dozen
altogether. We had all of Rutland county to
visit US that night.
O. How was that beer ordered? A. In the
first we called a bell boy and we ordered
some through him, which was brought quite
promptly. Some of the members of the
party objected to the price and one of the
party went elsewhere and brought it to the
room.
@. Well, to whom was the objection made
as 10 the price? A. The bell boy.
@. Well: A. He said the price was made
below he had nothing to do about it.
@. Did you get any more beer Of him after
that? A. We did not.
@. About how many bottles of beer did
you order of the bell boy! A. presume 10
Or 10, perhaps 20; it was large party.
10. And about how long after you gave the
trder before the beer was brought?
4. could not give any idea.
G. And did the boy tell you that the Van
Ness house was temperance house? A. He
did not.
Q. Did he say anything about going out
after liquor? A. He did not.
Q. Was anything said to him, or did any
body else say anything about the Van Ness
house, so that it gave you the impression
that there was not plenty of liquor there If
you wanted it: A. No, sir.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-05-15
EUGENE o. BRADY.
Lager Beer in the Van Ness House
Bar.


Eugene o. Brady of Manchester, in a
deposition taken at Rutland, said that he had
stopped at the Van Ness house several
times, and in response to a question as to
when the last time was, said -
A. The last time that | stopped there was
when | went up from keeseville, n. Y: to
the best of my recollection it was in 1891;
baseball that day.
@. And you may state from what place
you went? A. From keeseville.
Q. Anybody with you? A. Yes, sir.
0. Who! A. Michael Wallace.
Q. And you may state whether or not on
that day you procured any Intoxicating
liquor, ale, cider or lager beer in the Van
Ness house: A. | did, sir, lager beer.
Q. And you may state where that lager
beer was procured? A. | procured it In a
barroom. There was a bar there. That was
where we procured it and we paid for it at
the bar.
@. Whereabouts in the hotel: A. 1t is a
long time, but to the best of my recollection
we went into the office and from there down
into place where there was pool tables and
into hall; at the end of the hall there was a
bar; we went into the bar. 1t is a good
while ago.
Michael Wallace. Harry Frishee. d Me-
Wanns. the other man was n stonecntter AT
Keeseyille.
@, Who served you the beer? A. | don't
know.
O. Describe the man as well as YOU can?
A. The man, he was not very tail, but quite
stout. with a eoatee, and a man | should
Judge in the neighborhood of 45 or 50 wears
old.
o, What was the color of his hair? A.
He was gray,
o, And YOU NAV state whether or not
did the men who was with Won buy any
beer.
@. What kind? A. Lager.
O, Ard do YOU remember how that lager
was, in bottles or otherwise? A. could
not state as to that, | think it was on
draught.
O, How long did YOU stav in that room !:
A, I could moi saw exactly, perhaps an hour
or sucb matter.
O. And what we've Won doing in there an
hour? A. we were drinking and talking,
as marty will do,
O. And whom did Won nav for tbis beerp
A The man who served NJ
@. And did each of the other men pay
alsop A. Yes. certainly.
O. ASH understand il. Won treated around ,
A. EyactIy. YES. sir.
O. Do Won remember about how many
timess 4 No. I could not saw as to that.
several times thouph
O. Have Won ever bouobt liouor on anv
other occasion in the Van Ness bouseg
We'll. YES. 7 have. Int 7 co,ild not STATE rs 70
when I have been there several tines
O. 3on saw Won have been there several
times: have YOU procured liouor every time
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-05-15
ELISHA MAY.
Liquor Seen Twice on the Tables.

Elisha May of st. Johnsbury, In deposit
ton taken at st. Johnsbury April ., said that
he was lawyer and national bank examiner.
He had been at the Van Ness house probab
five times a year In the last 10 years and,
when asked about liquor there, said:-
A. recollect on two occasions, and those
when the old dining room was occupied.
Once when the officers had drill in the
winter time at Burlington. At dinner sat
with Judge Taft, and on that occasion | saw
bottles, apparently lager and ale and perhaps
wine on the tables where the military officers
were sitting and glasses near. l do not know
where they came from. The walters pulled
the corks. Whatever the contents of the
bottles, it was drank by the officers sitting
there. On one other occasion | sat at the
table with a New Yorker. He called himself
a cotton broker. He ordered some elaret on
a card, and if | remember right he put the
number of his room on the card. He gave
the order to the head waiter. Harry De We're.
The liquor was brought. He had it on the
table. and the head waiter pulled the cork
for him. That is all have ever seen in that
hotel.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-05-15
FRANK G. ARCHIBALD.
Bell Coy Purchases, With Payments
at the Desk.

Beti EOy Purchases, WIN fragments
at the Desk.
Frank {. Archibald of Manchester, in a
deposition taken at Rutland, said that he was
lawyer and had stopped at the Van Ness
house and bought liquor in the Van Ness
house. The examination proceeded
@. You may state how you purchased it?
A. The liquor | purchased in the Van Ness
house / obtained when | was in my room.
| rang the bell, the boy answered the call
and gave him my order and it was filled.
q. And whether anything was said to you
as TO how it was to be filed or how it was to
be purchased? A. Nothing of the kind was
said. | simply gave the order for the liquor
l wished and it was brought.
@. Where and how did you pay for the
liquor? A. settled with the gentleman in
the office at the desk when | paid my bill for
entertainment at the hotel. The gentleman
name was Clark, Herbert Clark.
Q. How many times did you ever obtain
Intoxicating liquor in this wayt A. II
would be impossible for me to state. Not
many times; very few times. | presume
three or four at the outside.
@. Were you on those occasions 4 guest OF
the hotel and were you registered as guest:
A. Yes, sir.
@. You say you paid for the liquor when
you paid the bill? A. | paid the bill fol
lodging and whatever meals | had and the
liquor at the same time.