Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1902-01-30
WHOLE NO. 40

Cook GHe WorK IN nand, no trouble
was experienced in this direction.
Witness stated that no extension of
time had been granted on the contract
and that no one had been empowered
to extend such time. Mr. Bacon be-
wildered the witness somewhat on
cross-examination by asking him
where he was on November goth, 1900,
and what he did on that day.
Barton F. Sharp was called by the
city and testified that it cost 1886. 81
to complete the coping of East Lake
Dam wall after the contract had been
annulled.
Theo. B. Woodruff, member of City
Council, and committee on building
wall. Was at East Lake on November
29th, 1900, and had conversation with
Mr.. Johnson, who claimed that it
would be much better to build a
stronger coping on the wall Witness
told Mr.. Johnson that he was willing
to the change provided the rest of the
committee were. The additional cost
was to be $50. Never heard that the
other members of the committee had
consented to the change and only
knew that it had been made by seeing
the work later.
On cross examination, Mr.. Bacon
brought out the fact that the commit
tee never met as body from the time
the contract was awarded to build the
wall until the time the same was an
nuled. The matter was in the hands
of Mr.. Sharp. Court adjourned for
the day.
Tuesday Morning.
Harry Garrison, put on stand.
Member of Council Committee for
builling wall in question. Never was
approached by Mr.. johnson, nor was
anything ever said to him about max
ing change in coping of wall. The
committee had no authority to make
any other contract save the original
Stacy W. Matthews, member of spe-
cial committee of Council to build
wall. Member of City Council for
twelve years continuously. Never
authorized any change in material to
be used in wall, never extended the
time, nor never saw johnson about it,
Never authorized Mr. johnson to stop
work on wall until after freezing
weather.
On cross examination witness said
he never had anything to do with
building the wall except to meet with
members of the committee and talk
the matter over. Witness did not
know that the stone put on the coping
of the wall was different from what
the contract called for.
''Do you know anything about this
East Lake Dam Committee, or the d.
East Lake Committee, whichever it
is?" asked Mr.. Bacon.
Indeed do, vehemently respond
ed Mr. Matthews.
Charles Stevenson, sworn. Presi-
dent of City Council at the time of
VI UIlS lIdSb Ldh6 >bdn
wall. On Thanksgiving day Mr.
Johnson called his attention to the
portion of the coping already put up.
Witness agreed that the job would
not be very satisfactory if done that
way. Mr.. johnson suggested better
way and said it would cost about $50
extra. Witness told johnson he had
no power to authorize a change in the
wall.
Louis Heller. the stone mason and
contractor, sworn.
Witness was called to give expert
testimony regarding the construction
of the wall.
The case will doubtless consume the
balance of the day.
from Daily Pioneer Wednesday Jan.r2sl
After trial lasting two full days,
the jury in the case of Lemuel P.
johnson, the contractor, against the
City of Bridgeton, to recover $500. 05
on contract, returned verdict last
evening in the amount of $3.50. 90. 1t
was about half-past four O'Clock yes
terday afternoon when the jury re-
tired, doubtless with greater knowl-
edge of stone fence than they ever had
before. 1t was quarter past seven
when the verdict was reached and de-
livered to the Court.
All things considered and allowing
that Mr.. johnson was entitled to re-
cover the verdict, it would seem to be a
very fair one.
Beneath the grey snow clouds of
this mornings storm the third week
of the criminal business of the Janu-
airy term of Court began at ten
o'clock, with several very important
cases still on the docket for trial.
Standing room was at premium
when Court opened. Doubtless the
snow storm had something to do with