The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1910-01-13
COURT ADJOURNS
TO-DAY NOON
Case Against Kendall
Snow Dismissed
Two Liquor Cases Were Lost by the
State.

State.
In the case OF State VS. George T
Meserve on charge of nuisance the
jury returned a verdict of mot gull
ty." The exhibits in this case were
bottles of Jamaica ginger taken from
the shelves of corner grocery"
run by George T. Meserve in Madison
The State maintained that the re-
spondent had allowed the Jamaica
ginger TO be drunk on his premises
to an extent that created a nuisance
The defense conducted by William
Brown, Esq, was very interesting
First there was some talk about Me
serves connection with labor unions
In this connection it was evidently
the intention of the defense to show
that the respondent had been employ
ed by Hollingsworth & Whitney and
THE Great Northern as a stationary
engineer in good standing until such
time as he became an officer in vari-
Gus labor organizations when he was
"blacklisted," and that the charge of
nuisance was indirectly traceable to
the hostility of powerful corporations.
This line of examination. however
was quickly objected to and ruled out
by the court as having no bearing on
the case.
1t was further shown by the de-
tense that the respondent maintained
a place of good reputation and that
he himself was man of commenda
BILE habits and conduct; that frequent
visitors to his store knew nothing of
his selling. or being said to have for
sale, Intoxicating liquors; that on
several OCCASIONS he had removed or
caused to be removed from his store
men who had entered 1t in a state of
intoxication- 1t was in this connec-
ton that Mrs. Meserve testified in a
positive and most convincing man
uer.
Il never saw my husband what
YOU'D call drunk in my life, but he
most men do"
This remark discriminating the larg
er part OF the whole race of men
caused such merriment in the court
room that the gavel descended with
bang.
A verdict of mot guilty" was also
agreed upon by the jury in the case
of State VS.. Frank Williams of
Greenville. The respondent appear
ing in answer to charge of single
sale was represented by Bernard
Gibbs, Esq. The State had but one
witness in this case; one Robert
Saunders, who testified that Williams
had sold him pint of whskey. Will
liams is an Italian and has been en-
ployed of late by the Somerset rail-
road as a section hand His resi-
dence during this time has been in a
box car on Greenville siding. The de-
Tense attempted to impeach the State
witness by damaging testimonies, and
in his plea attorney Gibbs attacked
him harshly. In the afternoon of the
same day, Tuesday, Williams pleaded
| guilty" to a charge of common sell
er" in the municipal court. Sen
tence was suspended on the condi-
ton that the respondent take him
self out of Somerset County forthwith
not to return on pain of paying the
full penalty.
Theodore Gowshe, Greek claiming
residence in Waterville, pleaded mot
guilty" to a similar charge through
his counsel. William Brown. Esq. The
State sought to prove that the re-
spondent had sold liquor in house
| in Fairfield where several Greeks liy-
ed for about six weeks in the early
fall. Witnesses for the State were
the sheriff and deputies who made
search and seizure, Charles Ware,
owner of the house, and three men
who purchased whiskey there. Four
pint bottles of gin were exhibited
which were taken in the seizure. The
defense introduced evidence to show
that Theodore Gowshe did not live
in the house in which the seizure was
made but was visiting there at the
time, and that he, being one of few
Greeks in the locality who could
speak English, had rented the house
of Charles Ware for his less learned
compatriots. When the respondent
was asked of he was taken to the Jail
at the time of his arrest he replied in
the affirmative, and added
Il didn't want to go to Jail, but they
sent me there"
The jury returned a verdict OF
guilty" and affirmed the decision OF
the lower court by which Gowshe was
sentenced to serve 60 days and fined
10000, so days additional in default
of payment.
According to report from DR.. B
T. Sanborn of the Insane hospital al
Augusta to the Supreme court, Rob-
ert Kendall Snow, who was indicted
for extortion at the September term
of the Supreme court does not need
further observation there.
1t will be remembered that many
citizens were greatly surprised on or
about August 5, when they began to
recei, threatening letters requesting
them to leave money at different
places. The amounts asked for were
from 500 TO $500 Sheriff John
Mooers and his deputies located Snow
as the sender of these letters He
was arrested, and about a month lat
er the grand jury indicted him. A
motion was made to Presiding Justice
Bird by Shows attorney that the man
be sent to Augusta instane hospital
for observation as to his sanity. This
case was brought up Tuesday noon
and required only a few minutes for