Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-11-17
POLICE COURT.
Monday Was Busy Day for Judge
Andrews.

There was quite we'll defined rush of
business at the municipal court, yester-
day, which is rather unusual in these
tines. Since the advent of the dry sea-
son in Augusta the number of victims
of distilled or fermented stimulants
which have appeared before the bar
where justice is dispensed, has been
noticeably few, and aside from ad-
ministering fine of few paltry dol
lars or a short retirement on the hill,
to some unfortunate, the work of the
.ourt, a.; far as rum is concerned has
been light.
But Monday morning brought a
change. 1t is not known whether the
change was brought about by re-
dictionary disturbances, caused by the
mild weather of last week, or whether
it was due to the natural course of
event, but whatever the cause, the
charge was there and the work done in
the administration Of justice covered a
period Of about 10 hours, although it
was not a continuous performance.
The first case called was the Alex
ander Butler. Mr.. Butler was arrested,
Sunday night, by Officer Dutton. and
the charge was drunkenness. 1t didn't
take the court long to decide that he
was guilty, and to exact from him a
three dollar fine. And as Alexander
went out into the chill November air
he doubtless thought that his little di-
version of the night before had cost all
that it was worth.
The next case was on a warrant for
search and seizure, against Orrin
Mcguire. Complaints having been
made by parties in the neighbOrhoOd OF
Mr.. Maguire's residence, on Scott street,
that something was doing there in the
way of dispensing alcoholic stimulants,
the police made a call upon that gentle
man. Sunday afternoon, and when they
came away they brought two-gallon
jug containing some Whiskey. and also
quart bottle of port wine. leaving in
exchange an order for Mr.. Mcguire to
appear at court Monday morning, at 8
o'clock. He was there at the appointed
time, with Geo. G. Sheldon as counsel,
and an interesting case was anticipated
by those present. but just as the wheels
of justice had begun to revolve, Mr..
Sheldon discovered the fact that the
judge, in making out the warrant had
spelled the name Mcclure instead of
Mcguire, and the case was all off.
Both of the above cases were diSpOs-
ed of in the forenoon. In the afternoon
there was a sort of composite assault
and battery case. having a bit of intox-
ication on the side lines John Sawyer,
claiming Gardiner, as his home, was
taken in Monday forenoon. on war
La I
battery, and sworn out by Mrs. Clifford
Goodchid. who lives on upper State
street, in the Laurel Hill district.
Mrs. Goodchild does not speak Eng
lish, and an interpreter was present toI
repeat her story to the court. From
what could be learned from this inter-
mediate source of information. SawyerI
was up at the Goodchild house, drunk,
and was conducting himself in a wayl
which made his room more desirableI
than his company. Mrs. Goodchild or
dered him to get out, whereupon, shel
alleged, he threw a stick of wood at her,
struck her in the face twice, and threwl
a stone through window.
Sawyer denied the charge in toto, ex-l
cept that part which referred to hisl
being intoxicated. He admitted that hel
might have been in that condition. butt
was not aware of it. He said that he
di not strike the woman-only touched
her with his open hand on the face, to,
keep her away from him, The judge.
from the evidence submitted rendered
Judgment against Sawyer. and imposed
a fine of $40, which he paid.
The last two cases were common