Norwich bulletin., 1911-05-11
Prosecution in Dodge Murder Trial Springs
 Surprise in Form of Letter
CLAIMED THAT MRS. DODGE WRoTEIT
Samples of Her Hand Writing Taken While She Was on Witness Stand-Women Spectators Fail to Act on Judges Hint to Leave Courtroom-Arguments in the Case to be Made Today.

Cuildhall. Vt, May I0.--The submit tins of evidence in the trial of Mrs. Florence NJ. Dodge of Lunenberg for the alleged murder of William Heath, q painter.was practically concluded when adjournment was taken late today, and Judge A. A. Hall who is presiding. told the attorneys that he would expect them to be prepared to deliver their arguments tomorrow. It is not be- iieved. however. that the fate of Mrs Dodge will be placed in the hands of the jury tomorrow night as the argu- ments of the lawyers for. the defense and prosecution may be prolonged.
 Prosecution Springs Surprise.
 Spectators in the court room were taken unawares today when Mrs. Dodge wrote down on & piece of paper at the dictation of Attorney General Sargent a reference to the man who shot Mir. Heath
 The words dictated by the attorney general and written by Mrs. Dodge were as follows:
 "The Man Who Shot Hesth.'
 December q. 1910-The man who shot Mir. Heath was tall. with heavy dark hair, and wore a cap. They had words in 2 shop over money After shooting. he went into the cellar for few minutes. then went over d fence
 M. J. S."
 Claim Mrs Dodge Wrote Letter.
 When the attorney had read the text cf the note from q letter postmarked "Brookline. Mass, Dec. 27,' the letter and note were entered as exhibits, to- Eether with the account book of the Woman's Relief corps which contained entries made by Mrs. Dodge. The prosecution contended that the letter as well as the note was written by the defendant
 Handwriting Expert Testifes.
 Horace w Shaylor. a Portland. Me. handwriting expert. testified that in his opinion the letter read by the at tOrney general the note written in the rourt room by Mrs. Dodge at the at tOrney generals dictation and the writ 9nx In the Relief corps books were written by the same person.
 Mrs. Dodge Denied Writing Letter. A positive dental that sbe wrote the lssfe- or that she was in Brookline, Mass. on Dec. 27th was made by Mrs. Dodge when placed 5n the stand in siIr-rsbutsal Mrs. Dodge said that she was at the home of a sister in Con cord, Vt. on that date. and her sister. Mrs Robert Bennett, corroborated her testimony.
 Mrs. Dodge Almost Gay.
 Mrs. Dodge appeared almost gay when she entered court today accom- pAIt~Qs dr uStdls Dl '1hC Joh hloSAOA- and her daughter. Mrs. Ida Bell.
 Cross Examination Resumed.
 Attorney General Sargent resumed his cross examination of Mrs Dodge es soon as court had convened. The ettorney general brought out the fact Mrs. Dodge talked with Heath as much as business required. She watched him occasionally while he ~as painting and knew what he was doing all the time.
 Gets Specimen of Her Handwriting. Mrs Dodge was asked by the at t0rnev general for a specimen of her h4ndvriting Counsel for the defense objected. but the court overruled the objection and an exception was noted. Mrs. Dodge then took off her gloves and at the dictation of the attorney general then wrote upon piece of paper the following.
 What She Wrote.
 "December 27, 1910. "The man who shot MT Heath was tall. with heavy. dark hair, and wore