Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1903-07-31
POLICE COURT BUSINESS.
Three Men Proved They Were Not
Tramps-One Vagrant Sent to Rut-
Iand-EdWard Prentice Got 20 Days.

y Vernon street resident who had po-
tatoes stolen out of his field last year
complained to Chief-ofPolice Hall Mon
day night that four tramps We're occupy
ing one of the shanties near the canning
factory. Policeman Worden and Con-
stable Thayer went to the shanty about
midnight and found four sleepers, whom
they removed to the lookup. On Tues
day morning they We're taken one by one
before Justice Newton. The first said
his name was James Smith of New
Haven. He pleaded guilty and was sent
to the house of correction in Rutland for
four months for vagrancy. The next said
his name was Jerry Smith. whereupon
States Attorney Schwenk turned to him
and said Now look here, this Smith
business is played out. You tell us what
your name - or we will send YOU to Jail
until you are ready to tell" Jerry
was put under oath and then he refused
to give any name whatever. He said he
had a mother down here and didn't
want her to know that he was in trouble.
He was put back in the lookup and Cal
vim Rawson of Mantle, Conn, was
brought in.
Rawson pleaded not guilty. He said he
had been in Cambridgeport two years and
told the names of people there, giving
their occupation, etc. States Attorney
Schwenk knew the people and said that
Rawson was telling the truth. Rawson
had 81 in his pocket He stated the man
who refused to tell his name was his
friend and came with him from Cam
bridgeport Then Jerry" was brought
back into court. He said his name was
Euly Dwyer and that he lived in Athol.
His story corroborated Rawsons and
both were discharged. The next man was
Albert Patterson of Springfield, Mass,
who claimed he came to Brattleboro to
get work on the new bridge. He exhibit
ed membership ticket in the Bridge
Builders Union. He was discharged
The story of the men was that they were
on their "uppers " and slept in the
shantY to save expense. 1t appeared
that they did not beg for food, but
bought and cooked it.
Edward Prentice was arrested Monday
night by Chlef-of-Police Hall. who found
him on Flat street intoxicated He
pleaded guilty before Justice Newton and
was fined IS and costs, amounting to
1.45. His guardian refused to pay his
fine and Prentice was sent to Woodstock
Jail for 20 days.
Mrs. Michael Fleming was arrested at
her home on Vernon street Wednesday
by Chief-of-Police Hall and was ar.
raigned before Justice Newton on the
| charge of disturbing the peace. She
pleaded guilty and was fined so and
costs, but payment of the fine and costs
was suspended during good behavior.
The disturbance took place Tuesday
when Mrs. Fleming and Mrs. Clarity, a
neghbor, crossed paths, Mrs, Fleming
| used vile epithets and threw a stick of
wood ut Mrs. Clarity. striking, but not
seriously hurting, Mrs. Garrity's baby.
Constable Charles Taft of West Dunn
| merston came to Brattleboro before day
| light Wednesday with Charlie Mason, a
| Frenchman who had been employed at
| Holden & Martins mill Mason was in
| toXcated and threatened to throw Mr..
| Taft out of the wagon, but the brace
| let's he wore prevented him from max
| ing good his threat. He was put in the
| lookup and at o'clock was arraigned
before Justice Newton. He pleaded
| guilty and was fined IS and costs,
amounting to S1245 which he paid be-
| fore night.