Norwich bulletin., 1911-04-29

The morning session of the Third district court, Judge Oliver H. Will jams. was occupied in the trial of Elisha Fl. Hall. charged with assault ing big Frank r. Saunders, who tes- tiled that he had no idea as to his height or weight or the length of tine cane he carried at the time he was assaulted.
 Saunders testimony was to the eff feet that he left his home in Margin street to go to the public ferry -en route to North Stonington, at about four o'clock in the afternoon. Sunday, April 16. and, when opposite the Hall house, near the ferry. he was held up and assaulted by the Halls. father and son Charles. the son of accused, according to the story ef Mir. Saunders struck him on both sides of the face, and choked him with both hands for a period of about five minutes. Then Elisha Hall struck him twice and knocked him down and the son, Charles. kicked him three times while down. When he got back on his feet. Charles kicked him several times and told him to get into the road and stay there. Saunders declared that he did not use the cane against the Halls or make any defense. and did not even speak from the beginning to the end of the affair. He said he had to pass by Halls house to get to the ferry and that he was in the public highway when assaulted
 MT. Saunders testified that MT. Hall did not come out and ask why he tSaunders) had called vile names to members of the Hall family. Saunders declared that he stood his ground and got licked. but he would net run away. Some fifteen minutes afterwerd Mrs. Saunders and her daughter came down the street and accompanied him to the ferry. He declared that he never call- ed any mem Der of the Hall family vile names. He felt sore after the assault hut there were nc visible bruises and there was no occasion for medical at tendance
 Chief Brsnsheld testified that Elisha Hall had told him that Frank Saun- ders had called himself and members of his family vile names. and that in order to put stop to it he trimmed Saunders.
 Catherine and Loretta Gildea testi- fled to seeing Elisha Hall strike and Charles Hall kick Frank Saunders.
 Elisha H. Hall. the accused, admit ted that he struck Saunders. but at the time Saunders had g club in his hand and was in a striking attitude. Saunders. in passing the house, used vile language again. and Charles Hall went out and took Saunders by the shoulders. Witness told his son to let go of Saunders. When he asked why the Vile names were called to his fam fly. he repeated them, declaring they were true, Saunders holding the club as if to strike. Then witness hit Saunders twice and stumbled. or lay down, for there was not force enough behind the blows to knock him down.
 Mrs Lila McGrath, daughter of Henry Fl. Hall, testified that she saw the fracss
 Frank Saunders, recalled. testified that he did not raise his cane to strike Hall. and did not call Hall or any member of his family any vile name on that Sunday or at any other time.
 After arguments for the defense by Attorney A. T. l.. Ledwidge and by Town Solicitor Harry B. Agard for the state, Judge Will isms ad5udsed Hali guilty. but suopended sentence for one week.
 William Phillips was adjudged gull ty of being a common drunkard and was sentenced to g term of six months tn the state workheuse.
 The case of John Landi. charged with assaultfRg Mrs. Thorp. was con iinued to Saturday morning.