Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1902-01-10
FINES $500 AND COSTS
Landlord and Two Employees Of
American House MuIcted.
Suits Arising from the Prosecution
The Hotel, the Oldest in Southern
Vermont, Has Been Closed

The Hotel, the Oldest in Southern
Vermont, Has Been Closed.
The second chapter in the story of
the New Years rum raid at the Amer
lean House was written Monday, but
the climax was reached only after
long and weary preparation. The re-
suit of the days proceedings was the
imposing by Justice w. S. Newton, of
fines aggregating, with costs. over
SS00-Lester Wilbur, proprietor, fines
$500; Jerome J. Ward. clerk. fines
800. and Michael Bowker bar tender,
fines 800.
The hearing was set at o'clock
Monday morning. State Attorney Wes-
ton of Bellows Falls having other bust
ness to attend to until that time. Mr.
Weston came to Brattleboro on the
9:07 train, but was unable to give
attention to the liquor case until he
had disposed of matter in the pro-
bate court The respondents and
their counsel, F. D. Stowe, were on
hand at the appointed time.
At about 1920 o'clock Mr.. Weston
was ready to try the case Then be-
gan a long consultation between the
states attorney and various persons
interested in the case. ih which every
law firm in town, save one, had voice.
The consultation took place in the Sc
lectmen's room. Time wore away
A crowd gathered in Judge Newtons
office. Soon there was running hith-
er and thither. 1t was evident that
an effort was being made to reach an
agreement about something. 1t was
evident also that there would be no
interesting developments before noon,
and the crowd dispersed.
In the afternoon the consultation
was renewed. A new crowd gath
cred around. Chief-of-Police Hall
arrested the respondents on the charge
Of keeping with the intent to sell
Judge Newton condemned the liquor
seized at the raid and ordered ii des-
troyed. Then there was more wait
ing. Finally, at 4:3O o'clock. foot
steps were leard in the corridor and
States Attorney Weston and the re-
spondents and officers entered the
court room.
Half an hour was taken figuring up
the costs Then States Attorney
Weston said; "ln the case of the state
against Lester Wilbur for selling, the
respondent pleads guilty to four first
Cffenses. The state will be satisfied
if he is fined 800 for each offense."
The fine suggested was imposed with
costs of s2267. The states attorney
then said that in the case of the state
against Lester Wilbur for keeping the
respondent pleaded guilty to one of.
fense and that the state would be sat
isfied with fine of 800. which was
imposed with costs of sl1.30 The
cost OF the condemnation proceeding
amounting to s16.49 also was taxed
against Wilbur.
Similarly. Mr.. Weston entered pleas
of guilty for Bowker and Ward both
for selling and for keeping with the
intent to sell. Each was fined $50
for selling. with costs amounting to
sll.47, and each was fined $50 for
keeping, with costs amounting To
Sll.30, making each mans bill S12277
1t was found that one witness. Roy
all Bostwick of Londonderry. had been
forgotten, and an additional cost OF
$3.50 was taxed against the respond
ents Jointly. Court was then ad
journed.
An Interesting development in con
nection with this case came about
Saturday. At the time of the raid
Wilbur placed $500 in the hands OF
l.. II. Richardson to secure Mr. Rich
ardson for becoming his bondsman
On Saturday c. c. Miller. a former
keeper OF the hotel. brought suit
through Lawyer Fl. G. Barber against
Wilbur for $500 on a mortgage ant
promissory notes. and trusteed Mr.
Richardson, attaching the money ir
his hands. On the same day George
| A. Boyden and the John L. Ray estate
Joint owners of the American House
brought suit through Mr.. Bar
| Der against Wilbur for 5000 rent. trus
teeing the Peoples National bank
where Wilbur had a deposit of 5000
trusteeing also Mr.. Richardson and
| attaching the money in his hands.
The hearing on Mr.. Boydens suit
will take place before Justice ]. II
| Merrifield next Wednesday. Mr
Miller's suit is returnable at the March
term OF the Windham county court
Mr.. Bovden gave Wilbur notice Sat
urday that he must vacate the hotel
Mr.. Barber says these suits would
have been brought even il there had
been no raid. The American House
was closed Yesterday morning. the
boarders finding accommodations else
where.