The Press., 1905-02-01

give some other old time stories II
this column. ~.
The trial of Claude Taylor, charged
with rape ON the. person of Mrs. E
o. Ward of Petersham, and the lar
ceny of goods and money from her
came up before the superior court a
Worcester last Wednesday at 8 O'Clock
The counsel for Taylor, E. D. R
Morrell, asked that Taylor be exam
ined by two physicians as to his men
tai condition. The court directed
that the two cases be tried together,
The defendant pleaded not guilty,
On Thursday, after the selection of 6
jury, the doctors appointed to exam
inc Taylor reported that they consid-
cred him 20 be a sane man. After
the jury was selected they were ex-
cused until Friday. On Monday Tay-
lor was put ON trial. During the
forenoon Mrs. Ward told the story of
the time Taylor was at her house.
In the afternoon the jury listened to
the story of Taylor. While Mrs.
Ward claimed that she was terrorized
by the boy, the latter claimed that
the woman invited him into the house
and made all the advances. Mrs
Wards story was practically all the
material evidence presented by the
government. The defense called sew
eral witnesses, in addition to Taylor,
to tell of the reputation borne by Mrs.
Ward, claiming that it had not been
of the best. Taylor gave his name
as Claude Robertson Taylor and his
age as 10 years. He last lived in
Wilmington four years ago. His moth
er is now in Rawson. A year ago
last summer he worked for several
months for William N. Flynt of Mon
son, and later for a physician in
Springfield. Finally he went to
North Leverett and then to Peters
ham, on his way to New Hampshire.
William N. Flynt of Monson told of
Taylor's working for him, and said
he was apparently truthful and hon
est boy. He was not an omnivorous
reader, but read some United States
history. He was arrested for striking
a boy with whip while driving for
the witness. Witnesses testified to
Mrs. Wards good character. The
case was finished Monday, with the
exception of the courts charge.
The jury yesterday, after being out
from 1926 a. m. to 3 80 p M, re-
turned verdict Of not guilty in the
rape case against Taylor, and found
him guilty of fornication and larceny.
Judge Holmes sentenced him to one
year in the house of correction on the
larceny charge and to three months
on the charge of fornication. The
court instructed the jury that Taylor
could not be found guilty of larceny
in building, and could only be con-
victed of simple larceny, on his own
story and that of the government
witnesses. He instructed the jury
that if they believed Taylor's story
he must be found not guilty on the
charge of rape, but guilty of fornica-
tion. After the verdict was returned
District Attorney George S. Taft said
that probably no steps would be taken
against Mrs. Ward for fornication.
south WIllinEton.
Mr.. Comstock finished the work of
filling the large ice house Tuesday
night. .~. g.. ....
Miss Edith Scott and Miss Maud
Potter spent Saturday and Sunday
with friends in Norwich.
Miss Julia Chapman of Stafford
was the guest last Sunday of the
Misses Alice and Julia Denman.
Circumstantial evidence that some
Willimantic liquor dealer sells liquor
TO minors was offered the village peo-
Pile last Saturday night.
Mrs. George Nichols, Mrs. Gertie
Mrs. j. R. Neil and Miss
Jeanette Shaffer are to attend the
mock trial in Stafford this evening.
Mrs. Janette shaffer has gone to
the home of her daughter, Mrs. Belle
in Greenwich, where she
expects to remain for some time.
Charles Williams of Washington
was in the village last Friday calling
on old friends that he knew some 80
years ago, at which time he worked
here as rougher.
The tenement on the north end of
the new village, just vacated by Mrs.
Janette Shaffer, is now occupied by
Mr.. and Mrs. A. D. Potter. Mrs.
Shaffer expects to go to Derby to live.
A Greeneville news item in a Nor
wich paper says that Rev. T. q. Den
man of South Wilmington preached a
very interesting sermon last Sunday
in the Third Baptist church of that
place.
-, A Hartford paper has an account of
an attempt by a drunken man to shoot
Harry Luce at his home in Newington
last Saturday night. The attempt
was evidently failure. Mr.. Luce is
che son-in.law of Origin Hall of this
village.
A jolly good time was had at
George Morrison's Saturday night,
when several of his neighbors ap-
peared unexpectedly and proceeded to
enjoy themselves as best they knew
how. Inasmuch as such gatherings
are practically about the only means
of recreation the young people have
here during the long winter months,
they are all the more desirable.
The storm of last Wednesday was
80 severe that the company's four
horse team was sent to take the wom-
en- home from their work at night and
also sent after them Thursday morn
ing. The big snow pillow was sent all
around the village Thursday. School