Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-06-08
RELEASED.
Habeas Corpus Proceedings
Before Justice Whitehouse,
Artemus Butter6eId in Jail for Six
Months on Bill Of $6.77.
Discharged, Friday, Ms Attorney Provina
Defects in Papers.

care Of unusual interest was
heard before Justice Whitehouse Of
the supreme judicial court at the court
house. Friday morning. 1t was a pro-
eeed'nS Of habeas corpus in favor Of
Artemus Butterfield of Belgrade
against Andrew L. McFadden. tailer of
kennebcc county. to secure Butter
fields release from durance vile. On
December 16. 1900. Butterfield was
brought to Augusta and lodged in the
county Jail on an execution issued by
a disclosure commissioner for $6.U in
favor OF ID. p. Withee. Lewiston real
estate agent. Butterficld's case is
one that has excited much sympathy
in the community and among those
who have interested themselves in his
behalf is A. u. Ward of this city,
through whose efforts the habeas
corpus proceedings were brought to
effect his release.
Mr.. Butterfield is the father of 10
children. veteran of the Civil War.
being a member of Company Il. First
Maine Heavy Artillery. and was Sc
Nerely wounded at the battle of SPOT
sylvania. At the time of his arrest he
was living in very Strengthened cir
cumstanCes i'm small building on the
shore of Belgrade pond. which had
been constructed of old Clapboards and
various odds and ends of timber.
After Mr.. Butterfeld had been in
jail two months he received letter
from his creditor. Mr.. Withee, which
read as follows:
Lewiston. Feb. 10. 1901.
Mr.. Butterfield:
l thought 1 would drop you few
lines to let you know my mind in re-
gard tn keeping you in Jail have
made up my mind the way you have
used me to keep you where you are
until you pay the bill if it is for years.
And if l die my heirs will do the same.
Yours,
D. T. WITHEE,
$40 Main St. Lewiston, Me-
Joseph Williamson. Jr.. of the firm of
Williamson & Burleigh, raised the
point that there were several defects
in the papers under which the prisoner
was held. Normal l.. Bassctt, Esq, ap-
peared for MI. Withee, who was also
present.
In making his plea for the release of
Mr.. Buttcrfield. Attorney Williamson
took occasion to pay his respects to
Mr.. Withee in somewhat vigorous
terms. Mr.. Williamson said that he
would not disgrace Shylock. who de-
manded the pound of flesh from An
tonic. by comparing Mr.. Withee to him.
All that Withee wanted was money,
money. money. while Shylock wanted
something more than a monetary con-
Sidera ton because Antonio had Spat in
his face and had cast aspersions on the
Jewish race.
In rendering his decision Justice
Whitehouse said that the supreme
court was expected to exercise a sound
which Mr.. Butterfieid were held were
plainly defective. The justice ordered
the prisoner discharged.
Judge Oliver c. Hall of the Kennebec
superior court has ordered John Burns,
Jr., of Hallowell, to pay to his wife.
Georgia A. Burns. the sum of 50 per
week for the support of herself and
two minor children pending divorce
proceedings. Mr.. Burns has also been
ordered to furnish money for counsel
fees so that the wife may defend the
libel. Mr.. Burns brought the action
alleging cruel and abusive treatment
as the cause at issue, and through his
counsel George c. Sheldon. Esq. of
the firm of Sheldon & Sawtelle, has
asked for a jury trial. The writ is re-
turnable at the April term of court,
sitting at Waterville. but will not be
tried until the September term. George
1 &c