The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1909-09-17
COURT DOCKET is
BADLY DILAPIDATED
Many Cases Disposed of During
First Day.
GRAND JURY NOW IN SESSION
And Expected to Report This After
notwithstanding Remarks by Pre-
siding Judge Hall at Opening of
Session-Other Business.

The September term of Windham coun
tv court opened at Newfane Tuesday with
Judge Alfred A. Hall presiding for the
first time in this county. In opening
court Judge Hall made a short address to
the attorneys and court officials in which
ne referred to the fact that he was a ma
tive of Windham county and that he, was
glad to have an opportunity to preside IN
The first court room that he ever entered.
In referring to his first visit to the court
house at Newfane he said that he could
not recolect the case that was on trial but
he did have a very vivid recollection OF
c. n Davenport, one OF the attorneys en-,
.'the boys of Windham county in men
toning the fact that this county is cred
tied with two judges of the federal bench
and three in the superior court. HIS
speech was short, felicitous and yet TEEN
ing with suggestions which if closely fol-
lowed will expedite the business OF the
term In his remarks to the attorneys
and in his quick decis ions regarding the
assignment and disposal of cases he gave
the impression that he desired the bust
ness of the court to be carried along as
brisllly as possible
It Is believed by the attorneys in at
tendance that the term will not last over
six or possibly seven weeks. Assistant
Judges Frank Worden and Fred b. Pier
were present at the opening OF court
When the reading OF the docket had
progressed a few minutes 1t became cyl
dent that Judge Hall intended to waste
no time in discussing what action would
he taken in a case He disposed of case
after case in a way that indicated an IN
cIination to get down to business. The
docket was ''slashed." to use the term
given by an attorney present who was
kept busy for a couple of hours making
'hn first
taken up for trial was that OF Warner u.
Townshend VS.. Joseph Terrier, Gibson
Waterman appeared for the plaintiff and
RYDER & Graham of Bellows Falls for the
defendant. The case of Frank T.. Barber
g. William II. Vinton ct ais, which was
recently remanded from the supreme court
was entered on the docket Tor trial the
first day This case was passed at the
opening of court and settlement has
since been agreed upon between the plain
tiff and the selectmen of Brattleboro. The
case of Brigham T. Phelps vs. Boston X
Maine railroad was set for trial Nednes-
dav hut q settlement for the full amount
asked. sos. was made and the case marked
off the docket. R. C. Bacon appeared tor
Mr.. Phelps and Gibson & Waterman Tor
the railroad The action was brought to
recover the value of shipment OF frult
made by the plaintiff. A large number OF
cases were marked settled and discon-
tinued and larger number were passed.
MANY motions for continuance were made
A study of the chancery docket shows
long chapter of ancient history, there be-
ing cases of u years standing on the
docket.
Judge Hall advised the assistant Judges
to install telephone in the court house
and during his remarks at the opening or
court said that Windham county had one
of the best appointed court houses IN
Vermont.
Among the cases marked as settled and
discontinued were the Jamaica Lumber
company VS.. Russell Lumber company
apt, George B. Crittenden VS.. Charles 3.
Alexander. Jamaica Savings bank VS.. W.
f. Griffin company. ct ais, John II; How
ard vs. Central Vermont Railroad com
panv. Barnes Bros VS.. William Weather
head ct ais. Bulah Philbrick vs. Herbert
T. Clark apt. and trs. The case Of Agnes
H. Baker against Beatty S. Balestier was
discontinued.
The grand jury has been in session since
Tuesday and will probably make its report
TODAY. Court took a recess yesterday at
ternoon until Monday.