News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1911-07-12
LAMOILLE COUNTY COURT
Verdict Of $4,000 Against Morrisville in the
Douglass & Varnum Suit

The case of Douglass & Varnum VS.. the
Village of Morrisville was completed
last Friday. Thursday afternoon the
pleas OF c. Fl. Darling for plaintiffs and
f. G. Fleetwood for defendants were made
and attentively listened to. Friday morn
ing John w. Redmond made his plea for
defendants, and everybody sat up and
took notice while he talked in his earnest
and emphatic manner. He spoke about
an hour and half He was followed by
w. c. B. Stckney who made the closing
plea for the plaintiffs. Mr.. Stickney
spoke about two hours and in his cool
and clear manner held the undivided at
tenton of jury, court and people. The
| Judges charge was instructive and very
impartial, The case was given to the
jury at five clock and they wrestled with
it until Ills o'clock, with an intermis-
sion for supper. Their verdict was that
the plaintiffs should recover the sum of
SIS, 600 and costs, which is a few thous-
and less than sued for.
An appeal was taken and the case will
60 to supreme court.
This was one of the longest cases ever
tried in Lainoille county, occupying the
attention ofcourt eighteen days and was
hotiy contested from the beginning. AS
is well known, it grew out of contract
to build the dam across the Lamoille
river for the village of Morrisville, which
forms Lake Lamoille and furnishes pow
er for the Morrisville electric light plant.
The plaintiffs took the contract to build
the dam, which was constructed of con-
crete. When part way across the stream
a large pocket was found, which cost
several thousand dollars to excavate and
fill. The plaintiffs claimed that by the
terms of the contract the excavation OF
the pocket and filling the same was extra
work and, therefore, they were entitled
to extra pay for the same. The village
of Morrisvlle insisted that all work was
work covered by the contract.
This completed the business for the pres
ent and recess was taken until August
21, at which time one or two cases will
be heardif not settled before that date.
The jurors on the long case drew pay
for % days service during the term-$50
and mileage.
Harley Shattuck of Eden was the fore
man of the jury that had the long case
on trial and it was with sigh of relief
when he announced to the court that the
ury had agreed on verdict-about mid
night on Friday last.
Two divorces were granted in the clos
ing hours of the court. They were Rob
ert c. Mcdonald VS.. Maud Mcdonald;
bill granted for desertion.-Fl fleet wood
for petitioner. Frank A. Davis VS.. Me-
lissa Davis; bill granted for desertion,-
Cheney for petitioner
One of the longest cases ever tried in
this county occurred about fifty years
ago when two Hyde Park farmers got
into a suit over the ownership of calf. |
The case was in court four weeks and |
cost both men their farms. 1t was finally |
settled out of court.
The heat was too much for the States |
Atty, He couldn't wait until the close
of court, soleaving mattersi in good hands |
he HE'D himself away to the cool breezes |
of Caspian Lake, where he is now recuper-
ating from the arduous and trying duties
of a strenuous term.
"Well," remarked Attorney Darling, |
right out in court the day we had the big /
shower, cit looks like rain" To which
Judge Miles, in his dignifed manner re- !
piled, eff there is any objection to that !,
the court will over-rule the same" and
kept right on with court matters. not.
there was an audible twit
ter throughout the room.
STATE NEWS