The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1903-03-26
ASHFORD.
The Jury Disagreed.

ASHFORD.
The Jury Disagreed.
The state 10 the Wilson murder case In
session at Putnam last Friday presented
Mrs. Fenimore of Eastford, who took
care of Mrs. Wilson for four days, begin
ming on October 8 She testified that she
sent Ora Wilson for q physician, and that
DIR. Converse came the next afternoon
and left some medicine, which witness
gave to the sick woman. When Mrs.
Manson came to the house, Mrs. Feni-
more said, Mrs. Manson threw away the
medicine left by DIR. Converse and gave
Mrs. Wilson alcohol, saying 1t was better
than the medicine. Mrs. Fenimore testi-
fled that on one occasion she saw Mrs.
Manson give Mrs. Wilson alcohol when
there was q white powder In the tumbler.
Mrs. Fenimore said she herself took lit
tie of this powder In her mouth, and
found that It tasted sweet. Later she
was seized with vomiting spell. Mrs.
Fenimore went away the next day, telling
Mrs. Wilson that che would not stay there
as long as Mrs. Manson remained. Mrs.
Wilson, according to the witness, wanted
her to stay. On cross-examination Mrs.
Fenimore said she did not see Mrs. Man
son put the poison In the alcohol. After
the examination of one or two witnesses
the state rested. The witnesses for the
defense included James Manson, the hus-
dand of the prisoner, and the 13.year-old
son. His examination occupied consider
able time, but the important part of his
testimony Is this, that In August he was
visiting at Grandfather Young's In Ash
ford; that upon certain days ne was sent
from his grandfather's to the home of
Mrs. Wilson on an Grand; that after
reaching house he found Mrs. Wilson w.
ing down; that upon entering house she
got up, said she was so Ill she wished she
were dead; that she removed from man
tel-piece back of the lounge small wood
en- box containing white powder. Wet
ting her finger she dipped 1t into the box
and then into her mouth, telling witness
1t was poison; that he must never touch
1t, for II he took too much 1t would kill
him. Characterization failed to shake
his story. George Wilson, son Of the
dead woman, testified that while search
ing for some clothing for Mrs. Manson,
he found his mothers wrapper which she
wore at the time of her death, and, upon
looking 1t over, discovered a note In his
mothers handwriting pinned to 1t. The
note was addressed to himself and his
brother Ora. He took the note, and after
his arrest delivered 1t to Attorney Har-
vey, counsel for the defense. The wit
ness identified the writing and showed
the jury where the note was pinned to the
wrapper. The state objected to the ad-
mission of this testimony, but 1t was ruled
in, and Attorney Harvey read the note.
which was as follows: "George and Or
RE: Don't feel bad when you find this,
for 1 can't suffer like poor sis. have
taken enough arsenic and morphine this
time. l shall be better off. Want Orrie
TO have everything. Don't want May to
have anything" Clarence e. Chester, q
school-teacher In Chaplin, and nephew
of the dead woman, identified the hand
writing In the note, and said that Mrs
Wilson never used a capital letter In writ
ing the word "Orrie," as she called Ora,
nor In ISIS The closing testimony was
taken Thursday, and the arguments were
begun at the afternoon session. The
state called several witnesses In rebuttal
with the object of disproving the testimo.
ny of George Wilson, a son of the dead
woman, to the effect that after his moth
er's death he found note pinned to a
wrapper worn by her during her sickness,
and that he afterward kept the note con-
cealed In his handkerchief while in jail.
The authenticity Of the note found by
George Wilson pinned to his mothers
wrapper Is the real point at issue.
The testimony of the witness, Chester,
for the defense, seems to lend color to
the belief that the note Is authentic. On
the contrary, the conduct OF George VIII
son In not disclosing the note sooner is
inexplicable and tends to discredit It. An
air OF mystery surrounds the case, and
the general impression prevails that the
jury will have great difficulty In coming
to an agreement. The jury retired at 4
o'clock yesterday afternoon, and at 6 90
this morning reported that they were un-
able to agree. The jury was discharged.
The vote stood to 5 for acquittal. Mrs.
Manson will probably be tried again.
North Ashford.
Miss Hazel Reach, who Is at South
bridge attending school, was at home
over Sunday.
Rev. Asa Randlett Is to be cengratu-
lated In having attained the age of eighty
one years In an excellent state Of health
of body and mind. Sunday was his birth
day anniversary, and he attended service
In the morning and again In the evening,
spea king with the same earnestness that
has always characterized him. May he
be spared for many more birthday ami
versaries and happy years of service 10
the vineyard of the Lord.
WestfOrd.
The farm and personal property of the
late George g. Barrett will be sold at
auction Saturday at 10 a. m.
To NE0A1,ora IN, r1,sa woxvu