Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-05-02
Selecting TaIesmen Takes
Entire Time Of First Day.
Judge Excused Because Of Re-
Iaiionship 10 Mrs. Dodge.
Accused Has Cordial Greeting for
Acquaintance In Court Room.

Guildhall, Vt, May Examination
of the talesmen from which the jury
which is to decide as to the guilt of
Mrs. Florence Dodge, widow of the for
mer high sheriff. Marshall Dodge. who
is charged with the murder of William
Heath occupied the entire time of the
court on the first day of the trial here
today. Mrs. Dodge was an interested
spectator to the proceedings.
At the opening of the court, at noon.
it was announced that Associate Jus
tice Harris Z. Brown, who in the usual
course of events would have been the
presiding justice at the trial. had been
excused because Of distant relation
ship to the accused Judge \. Hall of
st. Adams sat upon the bench,
When court adjourned tonight the
jury box was filed but how many Of
the - men who then occupied seats
tlle.e VIII finally he apon the jury is
still question for according to the
Vermont method Of selecting twelve
good men and true" the jury box is
filled before either side takes advan-
tasc of its right Of challenge.
More talesmcn have been summoned
for tomorrow and it is hopesl 10 com
Dlete the jury early in the day after
which the attorneys viii make their
opening remarks and the trial proceed.
The little white courthouse on Main
street. failed long before noon today
10 hold the crowd Of taiesman. court
officers lawyers. and Spectators who
iioclSed there to participate or witness
the opening scenes in the trial az Mrs.
4
OF former high sheriff OF Essex eoun-
~ for the murder on Sept Il last of
William Heath.
The woman is the first Of her sex to
he tried fer capital offense of her hus-
band and paid the penalty. The Vermont
laws are lenient even to those suspected
of crime. and Mrs Dodge having been
out on $4,000 bail since her Indictment.
came into the court today without the ig-
nominy of being handeuffed and was
given seat near her counsel.
She came from her home in Lunenburg,
where Heath was killed by shot in the
back; and spent the night at the home
of Jaiior Wyman There she viii remain
until the trial is finished.
In order TO give the farmers plenty of
time to clean up the morning milking and
chores, the court was not opened until
noon, but hours before that time, the
buggies rolled into town and the horses
We're hitehed to the fences. while the
talesraen stood round the courthouse steps
and talked weather, politics. farming and
the sugar erop-anything except the main
subject in hand, which was of course.
under the ban
Shortly before the noon hour the
chief actors in the trial reached the
court house. walked through Il lane OF
curious citizens, who. unable to get
seats in the court room. had TO be sat
isfied with rhis view Of the principals.
Mrs. Dodge remained with Jailor
Wyman until just before the court
opened
ars. Dodge came into court with a
smile on her face and greeted several
acquaintance cordially and with APP
parent unconcern. She was accompa
MED by her daughter, Mrs. Ida Bell OF
South Lunenburg and as soon as court
opened the clerk ordered the sheriff OF
take charge Of her, as the bail was for
feited by tie beginning of the trial.
Judge Hall opened proceedings by
announcing that his associate. Judge
Harris f Brown. would not sit at the
trial, owing u his relationship to J.
Marshall Dodge and his sympathy for
the defendant.
The Vermont method of selecting a
jury was then begun, l. men being
drawn and seated in the jury box with
out examination. followed by the ques-
ticnins Of each man for the purpose of
~ -
jury had Leen examined.