The Newtown bee., 1897-04-09
Local Affairs
The Trial of Mrs Alice Behn
CONTINUED AT THE TOWN HALL ON SAT URDAY BEFORE JUSTICE NoBBs.-MIss HUBBELL UNABLE TO APPEAR.

HUBBELL UNABLE TO APPEAR.
 The trial of Mrs Alice Behn, continued from two weeks ago was in progress at the Town hall again last Saturday. A good slzed audience was present, but the proceedings progressed slowly and were rather uninteresting except for those di- rectly interested. At the opening of court a certificate was produced signed by Dr E. NJ. Smith stating that Miss Hub, bell was unable to be present and in the explanation that followed it was found she had been expected to appear in court that morning, but had been suddenly talk en with another prostration and was un- able to leave her bed. She was brought to E. L. Johnson's house on Wednesday and had been quite we'll until Friday night and Saturday morning.
 Attorney Hull suggested that the court should adjourn to Mir Johnson's house to see if some progress could not be made in getting her testimony, but Attorney Taylor objected seriously and the court proceeded to take such testimony as was at hand. without the principal witness, following the procedure of the previous days trial.
 Mrs E. L. Johnson was the first wit ness. She testified to being the Newtown visitor at the county home. Her story was substantially that Lillian Hubbell came to her house on the Friday follow 1 ing November l6 with MT Lyon when she saw the marks oyer her eye and on her arm and noted her condition to be one of extreme nervousness. She was in tears most of the time while at her house for about one hour. Miss Hubbell told her the marks were made by Mrs Behn strik- ing her with stick. She permitted her to return with MT Lyon to his home un- til she could make an investigation, when she decided she should not return to Mrs Behn's. She returned to Mrs Johnson's home on Tuesday, the 24th, and the day after Thanksgiving went to her sons to live. Saw her almost daily and she was in that same nervous condition. Decem- Der 13 she was taken with convulsions and the doctor was sent for. December b she was taken blind and remained so for two weeks. Was dellrious at times and taken to the Bridgeport hospital February s, since which time had not seen her until she went for her on last week l Wednesday at the hospital. The cross examination brought out the following facts: That Mrs Johnson did not place Miss Hubbell at Mrs Behn's but Mrs F. W. Smith, the Bethel visitor did. That for one year she did not know she was there and another year elapsed af- ter she knew she was there without her visiting her, she was ashamed to say, the reasons being partly on account of ill health, her inability to get there and liner idea that Mrs Smith would place the girl in good family. She had made three visits, one in last September, one in October and one in Novemb Der wher she went to decide what should be done Mrs Behn has drove to her house to tell her the girl had run away, but she was not at home the time she called and knew Mrs Behn had been looking fol her. Mrs c. B. Johnson had girl whose time expired November P and as they wanted Lillian to help take care of the children I allowed her to go there. MT: Johnson testified to a deep interest ir the girl.
 Edmund F. Lyon was called and mad' some fun for the audience. Hia ans wers were evasive enough to even puzzl' the lawyers. His direct testimony simpll brought out the facts of his remember | ing Miss Hubbell coming to his house il , November when he saw the marks owe g her eye and on her arm, which she toll him were the effects of Mrs Behn's whiE
 ming, The visit to Mrs Johnson's O.
 the 20th of November was rehearsed an
 on the 24th MT Johnson came for he
 and took her away with him. Her col n dition while at his house was one ( : nervousness, she being afraid so that sf
 would run and hide. Cross examined told the make up of his family, of who , it was composed on that date, and u
 business his son Edmund L., 21 yea IT. old, was engaged in, which he said W
 trading horses.
 Mrs Eva E Lyon was recalled and e
 plained that while Miss Hubbell was
 her house she complained almost co
 tinuously of headache. Cross examin A she testified Miss Hubbell had e s when she came to her house and on Sl day evening went to Bedding with 7S family. On Tuesday evening she VI # out in the lots with Lillian to get 7 balance of her clothing which was as ao there. She was hysterical nights vi aae aae st her house and would cry out in by a sleep.
 Ezsa L. Johnson was called