The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1901-06-19
ORANGE COUNTY COURT.

The second civil case tried at the June
term OF Orange County Court, j. III. Bass
and Ora Bass, proponents of Ephraim r.
Clahln's will, v. Elmer f. Clafiin and
Bertha L. Clahin Blanchard, contestants,
apis, was argued very thoroughly by the
four attorneys on Monday afternoon and
Tuesday forenoon of last week and after a
clear and impartial charge by Judge Stat.
ford was given to the jury at eleven O'clock.
1t Is understood that majority we're for
the contestants from the first but not until
Wednesday forenoon did the jury render
Its verdict in favor of contestants, declar-
ing the instrument propouuded not to be
the last will of Ephraim H. Clafiin. The
protfered instrument was drawn by the de-
scendent himself in September, 1894, in
Braintree and was found defective because
he did not declare 1t to be his will in the
presence OF the attesting witnesses, and
they did not sign in each others presence.
His grandchildren were contestants. The
case will doubtless go to Supreme Conrt on
exceptions. j. ID. Denison and r. M. Har-
vey for proponents and M. M. Wilson and
Darling a. Darling for the contestants.
The remaining civil case, Roswell Farm
ham vs.. Boston and Maine railroad, having
been settled by payment Of several hundred
dollars to plaintiff, on Wednesday morning
was begun the trial OF State vs.. Francis
Buck, an indictment found at the June
term, 1899, charging respondent with wilful
fence in Washington on April 30, 1899. The
defence was that defendant acted without
malice aud in good faith, with advice OF
counsel, in the protection of his rights as
mortgagee in trying to prevent Palmer from
getting several rods OF the land on which
defendant claimed he had mortgage securi-
ties. Thursday evening the jury rendered
verdict OF guilty. States Attorney David
8. Oonant and r. M. Harvey for the prose-
cution; Frank j. Martin OF Barre and
George L. Stow for respondent.
The jurors were excused until Tuesday
morning when the trial of State V. Robert
Burns Nelson, an indictment for the MUIR
der OF Charles Bostock at Wells River on
September last, was begun. This case is
likely to consume week or more in trial +,
as there are many witnesses and 1t is stout
ly contested. The Stsle's attorney is as
sisted by W. w. Miles OF Barton. Messrs.
E.IW Smith and K. M. Harvey represents
Gne respondent.
On Thursday morning at ten o'clock the
grand jury presented its first report from
which IL appeared that six true bills were
found and twelve bills not found. Among
the respondents in cases now docketed are
George Townsend, the Braintree store bur-
glar; Henry Hodge for breach Of he peace /;
Al Gram OF Brookheld for breach OF the
peace; Joseph Bailey for impeding an Off
Ger; Henry M. Fullam for receiving stolen
goods; Austin +. Daniels, two indictments,
one for arson and one for burning buildings
with intent to defraud insurance company
On Friday forenoon was heard the psti
ton OF Daisy O. Taylor v. Free j. Taylor
for divorce on the ground OF intoerable So.
verify. Divorce was granted and the Gus.
tody OF minor children given to petitioner.
q. III. Hosford OF Woodsville, N. H., ap-
peared for petition, who was also granted
alimony according to stipulation OF the par
ties.