The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-05-04
Washington County Court.

When court opened Wednesday morning
ITO witnesses had been examined in the
case Of state against Mildred Brewster, and
the end was not in sight. The stenographic
notes OF the official reporter at that time
covered more pages than did the entire
Marsh trial one year ago.
Miss Margaret Bean Of Burlington was
the first witness called by the state Wednes-
day. She stated that she had been init
mately acquainted with Eunice Chaffee for
twenty years, and always considered her
sane. Witness was domestic In the Brew
ster family for two years and never saw
anything peculiar in Mrs. Brewster. Con-
sidered her strong woman mentally and
perfectly sane. Respondent was little
girl, there was nothing peculiar about her
except her strong temper. She had no con.
vulsions or fits during the two years wit
ness was in the family.
Harry Shurtleff, of the firm of Shurtleff &
Shurtlef OF Montpelier, testified that in the
winter OF 1896 respondent was domestic in
his fathers family for about four months.
Saw respondent at least three times day
and sometimes more. Considered respon-
dent perfectly sane at that time.
Miss Lucy Chaffee of New Haven a
daughter OF Eunice Chaffee, left home when
she was twelve years old. Saw great deal
OF her mother and considered her perfectly
sane.
Levi Swift of Middlesex testified that he
was nephew Of Eunioe Chaffee. Knew
her well. saw her often, considered her
sane woman.
Mrs. Mary Chamberlain testified in regard
to Mrs. Brewsters sanity and K. W. Ellis
OF huntington, always considered Arnold
Sherman sane.
DR.. Arson Norton OF Bristol testified to
giving medical treatment to Eunice Chaffee
for heart disease. He considered her sane
ii. e. Baldwin of North Duxbury stated
that he was acquainted with Mrs. Wesley
Brewster for eighteen years, worked for
MIR. Brewster several seasons. He con-
sidered Mrs. Brewster q sane woman.
Thought respondent was an ugly, bad dis
Fashioned child, never knew Of her having
spasms.
Thomas Sheridan of Montpelier, recalled,
testified that he saw respondent nearly
every day when she roomed at the Mcbride
house, extending through the winter and
up to the time of the tragedy. The night
before the tragedy he saw respondent, saw
saw her when her eyes had glazing look,
never saw any indications OF insanity in her
appearance.
Mrs. Clarence Bugbee, recalled, stated
that when respondent came to her home the
morning OF the shooting she remained about
an hour and twenty-five minutes. Witness
conversed with respondent on various sub
lects and saw nothing strange In her ap-
pearance. Saw respondent and Anna
Wheeler when they left the house and went
toward the scene Of the tragedy.
Clarence Bugbee, recalled, testified to the
appearance OF sanity on the part of re-
spondent on the morning OF the shooting.
Looked closely at her while the two girls
were standing on the piazza of his house.
She appeared perfectly sane.
Mary A. Mcleod, nurse at Heaton Hos
pital, testified that she had charge OF re.
spondent for six weeks at the hospital last
summer, taking care of her nights. Heard
respondent speak OF Jack Wheeler. Con-
sidered respondent sane while she was in
hospital. Never heard her express desire
to die, and never heard her refer to the
tragedy.
Miss Marion Dewey, nurse in Heaton
Hospital, testified to her belief in respond
ent's sanity. Witness had spscial care of
respondent while she was there after the
operation for the removal of the bullet.
Letters written by respondent while at
the hospital, to Mrs. William Ross of Barre
and Mrs. j. DeCollains Of Montpelier were
read to the jury by States Attorney How.
land.
Mrs. s. @. Shurtleff stated that when re.
spOndent worked for her in 1896, she was out
evenings so much she was Obliged to re-
monstrate with her. Mildred told her the
reason she did not stay at home was that
she could not live there in peace. Witness
never noticed any Respondent spell while
at her house during three months and
thought her sane
Miss Emma j. Witty, matron at the Hea-
ton Hospital, testified that when the two
girls were taken to the hospital were placed
in the same room but in separate beds.
Her attention to Mildred's first regainipg
consciousness was attracted by her crying.
Witness asked her II she wished to see her
father to which Mildred replied that she did
not as she was not fit to see any one.