Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-12-06

ly asSalled the character of the States
witness. The court found the re-
spondent guilty and fined him $50 and
costs or 80 days in Jail An appeal was
taken and the respondent recognized in
the sum of 5000 for his appearance at
the January term of the superior court.
The single sale case against Joseph
LeClair of Augusta was begun in the
forenoon but was not completed until
3 O'Clock. Frank l.. Dutton appeared
for the respondent. Bissett testified
to purchasing half pint of whiskey
on oct. II of LeClair at the Cormier
place on Laurel street in Augusta: that
the purchase was made about o'clock
in the evening He stated that Lee
Clair was told by Arthur Cormier to
get Harry what he wants" Witness
paid LeClair 35 cents for half pint
of whiskey.
Bissctt on cross examination stated
that he received no compensation for
his services in getting evidence for the
State. He was given money for his
car fares and to buy what whiskey he
could. Witness made the proposition
to the sheriff after getting out Of Jail
that he should secure this evidence.
Witness denied that he had changed
s A. NJ. to P M. in the memorandum
kept by him of his liquor purchases.
Witness admitted that he had been
placed under bonds as a witness at the
request of the sheriff.
Joseph LcClair took the stand in his
own behalf ami caused considerable
amusement in the crowded courtroom
when he testified: "Bissett never
cought a half pint of me. The two
of Us ogether never had money enough
TO patch up and get half pint. l sup
pose that is why he 'squealcd,' because
he was mad that I didn't have money
enough to help him patch up Lee
Clair was asked by the court his opin-
ion OF Bissett and he replied that he
was "a cheap hobo.' The lie was pass
ed between Bssett and LeClair before
the latter left the stand.
Arthur Cormier testified that he new
er directed LeClair to get the respond
ent any liquor. Witness had never
seen Bssett in his place of business
since his father went away.
Attorney Dutton in his closing argu.
ment called attention to an erasure
in Bissetts memorandum book, which
he declared NIGH: have removed some
thing that would acquit the respondent:
LeClair was found guilty and fined
$50 and costs and 80 days in Jail. ana
in default Of payment of fine and COSTS
so days additional. He was allowed to
go on his personal recOgnizance as ne
had already given bail in another case
A single sale case against Arthur
Tetreault, druggist, was called. Bissett
testified to the purchase of half pint OF
gin at about 720 on the evening Of Oct
Is Of the respondent. Ee paid IS or 40
cents for the gin. Witness was asked
on cross-examination if he had ever
had any trouble with his head or
Authorizations and he replied. NO
Witness admitted that he had drank
with some of the people of whom he
purchased liquor and as he expressed
it had got to feeling pretty well.
Mr.. Tetreault took the stand iE his
own behalf and denied the sale. He
went to supper at about SIS at TINS
time of year and returned to the store
between 1.15 and 40. Bissett had been
in his store on three different occas-
sions and on each of those times he had
told him he had no liquor Witness
had known Bissett by sight for a long
time. Tho respondent was discharged.
Arthur Cormicr was arraigned upon
the charge OF a single sale of liquor 10
BiSSett. The states witness testified
that on Oct. II Arthur Cormier sold l"
him through his agent Joseph LeClair
a .nalf pint of whiskey at tie Cormier
place. The testimony in this case was
the same in the main as the previous
case against LrClair. one being the out
come of the other. Witness testified
that ne paid the money for the liquor
to LeCIar, who runC it UP on the cash
register. Witness testified that he had
purchased a half pint of whiskey of
COrmier at another time and had
drank it up. Witness was asked if he
purchased the whiskey he drank with
the sheriff's money and he replied
mo, with my own
Cormier took the stand in his own
| behalf and testified that he was run
ming Il lunch room at the time alleged
by Bissett and did not have LcClair II
his employ. Respondent knew moth
ing of the other sale alleged by Bis
sett.
BiSSett further testified that Cormler
gave him a drink of whiskey at one
time for the loan of his umbrella and
| that Cormer also sold a drink of whis-
key to an old soldier in his presence.
That was before times were as tight
as now. Whiskey was generally sold
by the bottle at the present time.
Cormier was found guilty and fined
$50 and costs and 80 days in Jail and in
default OF payment of fine and costs 50
days additional. He was allowed to go
upon him personal recognizance as he
was already under bail in another case,
Bissett was placed by the court I'M
der 5000 bonds as a material witness
in each of the cases where the respond
onts had been found guilty upon his
testimony. The size of the bonds re-
ouireG will make it necessary for the