Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-09-28


posed that. hereafter, all persons charges
/, with stealing sheep should be turne
, down. This brought sturdy oil
deacon to his feet with a bound VIII
J yelled out II this notion prevails, shoull
, like to know who there would be left II
our church 2
"Judge, this has beer a very dry sum
mer ?"
ayes, | have found 1t so. particular.
this morning. II you have your pistol
we will step around the corner where II !
more shady"
ANOTHER NASTY AFFAIR.
Our town was thrown into some ex
element last week by the arrest OF John
Johndro on complaint that he was guilty
OF adultery, rape and an attempt to elops
with Belle Mott, a girl 10 years old
daug hter OF Mrs. Elmer Bride.
4 Mr.. Johndro is farmer rs years old
living high up on Mt. Hunger, and has {
wife and two children. The girl, Belle
Mott lis in the family OF bis nearest neigh.
Dor. These parties have only been &C
quainted since last spring. Johndrc
came from the town OF Ripton and
bought what is called the 0. G. Smith
farm, where he has since lived.
Through the summer he was quite
friendly with this family and growing
/ intimacy had somewhat alarmed the
mother, who warned her daughter to look
out for him as his actions were not
| gentlemanly.
Johndro was brought before Justice
Jerome Morgan and hearing held Mon
day OF last week. Lawyer Wilson OF
Bethel appeared for the respondent.
The girls testimony was given straight,
amid sobs and tears, with no deviation.
She says Johndro came to the window OF
/ her room, which Is on the first floor, late
at night on different times, helping her
out and then taking her once to the barn
OF neig hbor and again to his own barn,
where they stayed In eriminality for
hours, and that he made an appointment
TO come with his team and carry her to
Middlebury, where in her childhood
knowledge, she expected sometime to
marry him. Althoi subject to rigid
cross examination, she could not be
shaken from her positive story. All this
Johndro fatty denied, saying that he
had paid the girl but little atten-
tion anyway, bad carried her home from
school a few times and once or twice from
the village, but vas never out with her
after dark. He admitted that the mother
had strictly forbidden him TO ever take
Belle into his wagon again and from that
time had followed instructions.
II appears that the girl told her teacher
and some schoolmates that she intended
to run away with Mr.. Johndro some
night, and they Immediately informed
the parents. This led to the complaint
for abduction and calling in some neigh
bors to watch proceedings. they saw
Johndro come with his team late at night
TO the house and give low whistle, but
Johndro explains this by saying that be
drove there coming home from the village
to water bis horse and that be usually
whistles and sings when on the road.
After patiently hearing all evidence in
troduced Justice Morgan concluded the
case was OF too serious a nature to admit
OF any other course but binding the re
spondent over TO higher court, which he
did to await the action OF the next term
in Windsor count.
The condition of MIR. Johndro's family
is such that he placed the bail at $500
which was promptly furnished by o.
G. Smith and the respondent set at liberty.
Bail was also taken in -the same amount
for the appearance OF the principal wit
ness, Belle Mott.
Ii Is an axiom in law that person shall
be called innocent until be is proved
guilty and in this case Johndro Is not
wanting for sympathizers who are out.
spoken 1t their belief that this is put-up
job, and strong attempt was made IN
the cross examination 10 make the girl
say that her mother told her what to
testify to. Her answer was my mother
told me to tell the truth. And right here
! might say that Mrs. Bride knew moth.
ing OF the criminal Intercourse with her
daughter until Johndro was arrested and
Belle made a clean breast OF the whole
performance. Where there could be any
motive whatever to place in jeopardy the
character OF this young girl without any
compensation is beyond my eomprehen-
sion.