The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-04-20
Washington County Court.

brewster was resumed wednesday morn
ing.
Lawrence and John Mcmahon testified to
boarding in the same family with respond
emit. They thought and remarked at the
time that she was not in sound mental
condition. The latter saw her on the street
with Jack Wheeler at eleven o'clock one
night, when she seemed to be pleading with
him.
w. A. Shay told of respondent getting
angry with him and threatening to strike
him with pair of shears when he visited
the tailoring establishment of Ledden &
Campbell. She threw the shears at him.
He thought it an exhibition of her temper
rather than of insanity.
Mary O'Neil said respondent boarded
with her sister. Told witness she did not
eat but one meal day. Had heard re.
spondent say she was not going to live
great while. On the day but one before the
shooting respondent appeared wild and ex-
cited, talked necessarily OF Jack and Anna
Wheeler. Said II Jack had not lied to her
she would never have gone with him, and
that Jack and Anna Wheeler never would
be married. On the day before the tragedy
she told witness something would occur
that would shock her, that 1t would happen
that night or the next morning. In cross
examination witness admitted that respond
emit told her she got her breakfasts and
suppers in her own room.
Jack Wheeler was called. He did not re-
member whether he told Patrick Carey last
June that he thought Mildred Brewster
was in trouble.
Patrick Carey testified that Wheeler told
him last June that he thought Mildred
Brewster was that way.
Mrs. Frank Town of Jonesville was the
first witness called Wednesday afternoon.
She had known Mildred Brewster, thought
her strange and hysterlcal. Frank Town
corroborated the testimony of his wife.
Albert Snow, clerk in the store at Jones'
Vile, saw Mildred in the store one day.
She stayed half hour, walked the floor
and spoke to no one. She acted queer"
| Frank Briggs Of Jonesville testified as to
the insanity Of Miss Brewsters relations,
Arnold and Asa Sherman. He became 80
badly mixed under Judge Stantons exam
ination that his testimony must have had
little weight with the jury.
Judge Ezra B. Andrews Of Richmond tes-
titled to having known Asa Sherman for
fifty years past. With the exception OF the
past fifteen years witness had not considered
him mentally unsound, although he was
eccentric. Fifteen years ago he had financial
and family troubles that unbalanced his
mind. Sherman had told witness that
something was the trouble with him. Wit.
ness would not be surprised any time to
hear that Sherman had taken his own life
He is not able now to conduct his own at.
fairs without the assistance OF his daughter
e. II. Shattuck OF Burlington testified
Thursday morning that Mildred Brewster
was in his employ four years ago, as table
girl at his restaurant, later she went to the
High School in Burlington and boarded in
his family. He considered her q stubborn,
wilful girl.
Mrs. McCuen testified to knowing re-
spondent when she was attending school IN
Burlington. She thought her peculiar, but
did not consider her insane.
Samuel r. Cutter OF Richmond testified
to his knowledge Of insanity among re-
spondent's ancestors, going back FIVE gen
erations.
W. d. Hall Of Richmond also knew Miss
Brewster's ancestors He considered hel
grandfather weak minded man, at times
partially insane.
w. b. Murphy OF Huntington attended
the dance to which reference has beer
made. He also knew respondent when she
was attending school in Burlington
Thought her peculiar.
James f. Bolger, clerk in the store OF II
w. Allen & Co.. Burlington, swore that hi
knew Mildred Brewster when she boarded
at Shattuck's restaurant. Often saw her il
the store, had sold her several pairs o
shoes. She often acted peculiar.
Royal G. Sargent OF South Starksboro tes
titled that he knew Eunice Chaffee snt
John Chaffee her husband. Saw Eunic'
on an average three times q week at he
home. Drivers Of teams used to hav,
trouble with her in driving over her land
very peculiar woman. Left the house ont
time and set mp stove and bed in the hog
pen. After her husbands death she claim
ed that he came back on the porch and tried
to get in. Witness did not consider her o
sound mind.
Mrs. Eunice Miller OF Northtield knew
Miss Brewster when she was table girl a
the Northfeld house. Jack Wheeler an(
Juan DeCollaines used to call to Northfel(
to see Mildred, used to see them togethe
on the piazza. Jack used to come to SCI
Mildred Saturdays. Opened the door ono,
into the sitting room. Miss Brewster wa
sitting in Jacks lap. Jack had both arm
around her. Mildred used to tell witness
about Jacks next coming. Sometimes she
was particularly happy, at other times she
was depressed and seemed very gloomy
Met Miss Brewster once in this city afte
she came back from Mortified. Met he
on the street. She would not converse will
witness. She remarked, "Well, where an
going anyway"
Miss Jennie Clay stated that she becam,
acquainted with Mildred Brewster yea
before the tragedy. Had noticed that a
times respondent would be very sad. aud a
: others very happy. Had spoken of this tt
:. others. On the night before the shooting
out rapping and after short conversation
asked Miss Clay for hymn book with the
hymn in it, Jesus Lover Of My Soul" TIL,
book was produced and Mildred carried i
home with her. That was the last she evel
saw OF the book and did not see Mildred
again before the tragedy.
Miss Helen Clay swore that the last time
she saw respondent was at the home o.
Alexander Chimney, the night before the
. shooting. Mildred asked the witness OF
that occasion If she would play Jesus Low
or Of Ny Soul" on the organ, Witness com
piled and Mildred sang nearly the whole o.
, the first verse, when she suddenly stopped
and said "TEis is probably the last time
will ever sing that hymn" On this same
occasion Mildred exhibited four bullets tt
Mr.. Glenney and asked him II he wanted
them. She asked witness II she would e
shooting with her. Witness, on being ask
ed If she could point out in the hymn where
Mildred stopped singing, took the book anC
pointed to the words, "Till the storm Of life
is past" Mildred requested her to play
the hymn again and she did 80 but respon
dent did not sing it..
Emma Carey knew respondent and work
ed with her in the shop OF Ledden & Camp
bell. Always thought she was queer, and
not like other girls. Respondent had ask
ed her what was the easiest way to commit
. suicide, and witness told her she thought
shooting was.
l.. G. Tewksbury had often seen respon
dent in store. AT one time she bought al
, album valued at So. A lady who was will
her urged her not to buy IL because IL wal