The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-02-17
BAIL IN TRESPASS
SUITS FIXED BY
JUDGESAT $3.50
Three Dorset Lumbermen May
Now Return Home
PRISONERS FOR A MONTH
Arrested Late in January Charged
With $4,000 Damages Apiece to
Timber Lot In Rupert

There was hearing before Assis-
tant Judges of County Court, c. b.
Kent of Dorset and s. A. Perry of
Readsboro Thursday afternoon in the
cases of the three Dorset lumbermen,
Allen A. Roberts, John Dennison and
Stedman Aldrich, who have been
prisoners since January % at the
county Jail charged with trespass on
"a timber lot in the town of Rupert.
The writ on which the men were
arrested by Sheriff Godfrey January
Il set up the damages at $4,000 and in
order to secure their release it would
be necessary for the men to secure
bail in an equal amount. This they
did not attempt to do but have ehos-
en- to remain in the custody of the
sheriff. At the hearing at the coun-
ty clerks office, however, the bail in
each case was reduced to $3.50 which
will be furnished by fellow towns
men in Dorset so that the men may
return to their homes this evening.
The suit against the three lumber
men and their employer, Lyman b.
Wise of Deerfeld Mass, was brought
by Oliver II. Danforth of Rupert who
claims that he and his family are
owners of the land on which Wise
had been numbering. Wise secured
bail at the time the writs were served
and remained in Rupert.
At the hearing the plaintih was
represented by William r. Daley of
the firm of Chase and Daley of Brat
tleboro, who objected to the reduc.
ton of bail in the case of Roberts be-
low $500 but the judges could not
see why the bail should not be the
same in all cases and so decided.
Further developments in the cases
are likely as Sheriff Godfrey has as
yet been unable TO ascertain who is
responsible for The keeping Of his
prisoners.
The case has attracted consider
able interest in the towns of Dorset
and Rupert and it is alleged that
there is an element OF personal spite
involved in it. During the discussion
yesterday in relation to the fixing
of bail Attorney Archibald and Daley
came to something OF a clash when
the Brattleboro lawyer insisted that
the bail Of Roberts be fixed at not
less than $500. Mr.. Archibald retort
ed that the reason for II was resent.
ment on the part of the leading plain.
tin, Oliver Danforth, who charges the
responsibility for information which
resulted in the arrest and conviction
OF Danforth for shooting a spotted
lawn during the last open deer sea.
son upon Roberts.
The plaintiffs named in the writ
are Mary p. Hit of Castleton. Oliver
Daniorth, Oliver II. Danforth as trus.
tee for Ernest H., Frank C. and
Charles Danforth of Rupert and Jen.
ME NJ. Manley OF Brattleboro. To all
OF these parties Sheriff Godfrey has
sent notices that he will hold them
responsible for the keeping Of the
three men who were released TODAY
and the two Italian lumbermen who
were arrested with them but who
were released on bail some time ago.
Sheriff Godfrey has conferred with
the local attorneys who have search.
ed the statutes In his behalf but have
been unable TO find any decision that
"-ff 'NNA RAA ANA AANts III n01TX
every instance OF the kind a settle.
ment has been reached and no court
ruling has been given.
II was arranged yesterday that Er.
meet II. West, II. n. Williams and p
II, Kent OF Dorset should come here
this afternoon and go sureties for
Mr.. Roberts and his two sons.in.law
who will be able to return to their
families tonight after a months stay
in Bennington.
While the enforced period of idle.
ness for three men who are accus.
toned to work in the open air. has
been tedious they all express their
appreciation OF little courtesles that
have been extended them while here
and OF the kindness OF the sheriff
and Mrs. Godfrey. AS further
recognition of the housekeeper's con.
sideration for them during their stny
AT the jail they presented Mrs. God.
frey last evening with handsome
glass water set consisting Of pitcher
and half dozen tumblers.