Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-03-07
HAYDEN Case Tried Be-
fore Judge Withee.
Proceedings Are Dismissed and
Purse Given Defendants.
Funeral of Mrs. Emery--0ther Local
Items OF Interest.

Mrs William Hayden of Madison
was tried before Judge Frank Withee
Tuesday afternoon. on the charge of
wilful neglect of her sons Daniel f..
and Henry L. Farr. who were children
by former husband. The action was
brought as a result of the investiga-
tons of f. Z. Gould. who is State
officer for the Society of Prevention
of cruelty to Children and Animals.
The complaint was signed by three
well known Madison women. G. q.
Small appeared fer the State and w
B. Brown for the defendant. the trial
being held in Mr.. Smalfs office. The
first witness was +. T. Goodrich.
known Skowhegan business man.
Mr.. Goodrich stated that he was the
legally appointed guardian of the boys,
and that he had visited the Hayden
home on several occasions. He
thought the boys should be placed il
a more comfortable home, but did not
know of their being subjected to any
physical abuse officer Gould's testi-
mony followed the same line as did
that of Mrs. Fred Russell of Skowhe-
gan and Mrs. Jennie Stilson of Madi-
son. The last witness for the State
was Mrs. Mrs. Paul Roullard of Skow-
hogan. Mrs. Roullard said she visited
the Hayden home. which is located
near what is known as the Jesse Reed
farm in Madison and about four miles
from Skowhegan. in company with
officer Gould on Feb. IS. She was UNI
able to find any evidence of abuse, but
said in 80 years experience as char
liable worker in the Sunshine Society
and the w. C. T. T., she had never
seen such filthy and destitute home,
The witnesses for the defence were
Mr.. and Mrs. Hayden and Master
Henry Farr, who was years old. Mr.
Hayden is a partial cripple from
rheumatism. He said he had never
abused the boys in any way and
thought as much of them as he die
his own children by former wife.
Mr.. Hayden hires the farm on which
he lives for the sum of $35 a year
and carries it on with the help of his
wife. When able he works for hi
neighbors. He stated emphatieally
that he provided plenty of food and
clothing for the boys. but did think
he should be paid something by the
guardian from the money in the bank
as the older of the two BOYS is a suf
fefer from spinal meningitis
The story of Mrs. Hayden was the eli
max of the hearing. She told of working
out for her neghbors in spite of me fact
that she had nursing child, and then
coming home and working greater part
or the night. She worked in the field
with her husband and assisted in both
planting. hoeing and haying On moon
light nights during the present winter
she has frequently split wood which her
husband was able to work up during the
day She admitted that she had not
Kept her home as clean as perhaps it
should be in the opinion of the neigh
bors, but had done the best possible
under the circumstances
With the close of Mrs Hayden's testi-
mony and after hearing of over four
hours, the trial came to an abrupt close
by a motion on the part of Mr. Small
that the defendant be dismissed. The
hat was passed among the officers and
spectators and Mr.. Hayden was present
ed with substantial purse as an evil
denee of sympathy from all present.