The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-10-03

poison were found in the pasture by
Mr.. Trafton, and with the alleged in
formation which he volunteered to
Sheriff Mooers, it made the case look
the witnesses and he testified that the
/ day before the cattle were poisoned,
Pray had told him that Mr. Trafton
had lost several COWS and that he had
offered a reward which he might as
we'll have as for anyone else to, and
that he knew who did the deed.
The respondent claimed through his
! testimony that he had no motive in
committing the act and the idea was
advanced that the cattle got the ar
senic from a nearby potato field where
a poison had been used on potato tops.
Testimony showed that the cattle had
been seen chewing bags that had con-
tained poisonous substance, and that
Mr.. Trafton had ordered them burned.
The case was continued over Sunday
and was resumed Monday morning,
the parents and brother of the accused
young man being among the witnesses,
their story corroborating with that OF
the respondent according to his doings
at the time of the act being committed
in June l.. G. Trafton was recalled
to fill the minor points in the case
while George Paddock and Mrs. Pad
dack were both called in the States
rebuttal, to corroborate previous testi-
The case did not go to the jury until
about o'clock and they were in de-
| liberation only a few minutes before
bringing in a verdict of not guilty.
Pray was represented by Merrill &
Merrill, who made a very strong effort
in behalf of their client, while the
State was ably represented by County
Attorney J. Howard Haley
Tuesday, the case of Gordon Lewis
was taken up, the State charging him
with breaking and entering the store
of Napoleon Gilbert at Arson and with
the larceny of about $50 therefrcm
Several witnesses had appeared for the
State and w. B. Brown. Esq, of Madi
son, was about to outline the defense
when he was interrupted by the pre-
siding justice, who took the case from
the jury. telling them that the State
had failed to produce evidence enough
j to allow conviction, consequently the
prisoner was adjudged not guilty Lc-
wis was one of the four men who at
tempted to break from the jail some
weeks ago
The next case was that of Thales
j Spaulding, Jr., who was indicted for
assault with a dangerous weapon up
on William Robinson, a lumterman.
of Bingham. According to the Statc's
attorney, there was evidence that Hoh-
inson had been assaulted by Thales
Spaulding, Jr., while Nal Spaulding
struck at him with a whip. The re-
spondent claimed he struck with his
fist, while the State claimed the blow
was struck with a shovel. After the
case had progressed for time the
charge was mol pressed TO the extent
of Spaulding being armed with dan
gerous weapon, while he pleaded nolo
contendere to the rest of the charge.
George McGrace of Milo, was found
guilty, yesterday, of assault with in
tent to rape after the case had tak"n
up quite portion of two days. "he
girl in question, was Is years old, and
an immigrant, having been born in
England. She was on her way to Can
ada to get work as a servant and
came with party of other immigrant
girls. The trouble arose on the Can
adian Pacific railroad, the train being
sidetracked near Jack1nan in this
county. The girl went from ono car
into another where the travellers
were allowed to heat water for tea,
and was assaulted while in the latter
car by McGrace. who was an employee
of the railroad. Hon. S. w. Gould and
William H. Hawes. Esq. were council
for the respondent The jury were ont
for deliberation but a short time be
fore announcing their vedict
The assault with intent TO kill case
in which Angelo Oliyeri, an italian,
from Shawmut, was the respondent,
was next taken up. According to
testimony given at the lower court,
Oliyeri got into trouble with l.. Green,
the foreman of the construction work
on the dam which is being builG in
Shawmut. AS result Green dis
charged the Italian, who afterwards
fired three shots with a revolver to-
ward him. The defense put up the
claim that the respondent merely
meant to frighten Green and contend
ed that the cartridges were blank
ones. W. H. Hawes, council for re-
spondent.
The jury was only out few minutes
and at about 1890 this orenoon,
brought in a verdict of guilty,