The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-09-09
Part of Coaticook Thinks
Jerome's Freedom Is
Not Right
MEANWHILE JEROME
MOTORS TO ALBANY
He Was Not Only Acquitted,
but Apologized to
by Judge

Coaticook. P. O., Sept, 9.--W6lliam
Travers Jerome, acquitted last night OF
the charge Of gambling: was the chief
topic OF discussion among the residents
of Coaticook to-day, the opinion being
divided as to the verdict. Jerome is
now on his way to Albany by motor,
He will return to Montreal by rail next
Sunday for preparation OF Thaw's pro-
duction on Monday on habeas corpus
writ.
Argument on the writ may mark the
beginning of a battle of many weeks,
possibly months, duration. Thaw ap-
parently is contented in the thought
that his lawyers are doing all in their
power to block his return to Matteawan.
IT is not known when he will be taken
to Montreal
When acquitted, Mr., Jerome thanked
the court, spoke 1atteringly of his re-
ception in Canada, and added that he
did not attribute his arrest and brief
Imprisonment last week to the thinking
people of the dominion He took a
late train from Coaticook last night and
will return to Montreal for the argu-
ments on the latest Thaw habeas corpus
writ to be held before the kings bench,
Montreal, on Monday, September Is.
Townspeople packed the court room
like sardines when the hearing was
opened last night. jerome looked
straight at the court and did not once
glance at the throng, which in looks,
grmaces and subdued remarks was
plainly hostile.
A. c. Hanson, joint crown prosecutor,
opened the case with the reading of the
complaint of Milford Aldrich, a mill
hand, who swore that he had seen the
defendant playing at cards for money
at the railway station. Statutes were
quoted to show that this was an in
dictable offense, punishable with
years Imprisonment
Samuel Jacobs of Montreal, who has
been retained by New York state in its
efforts to return Thaw to Matteawan,
contended that the statute applied only
proper. The court took this question
under advisement and called for wit
nesses.
Michael Knight, white haired, aged 65,
leaning ON blackthorn stick, said he
had seen the defendant playing "a little
game of draw in the station yard. The
defendant had been pointed out to him
as Jerome of New York.
did you see him win any money"
asked the prosecutor.
II saw bill changed answered the
witness. q could not say who won it, "
Fred Chesley, a younger man than
Knight, testified on direct examination
that he had seen the defendant playing
cards for money.
Saw Jerome Take Money.
"Did you see him win any," asked
Jacobs on eross-examination.
Il saw him take it, replied the wit
ness stoutly, amid laughter.
Levy Moore, heavy set and 45, retold
the story of the poker game.
"Dd you see the defendant win mon
eyf" asked the joint prosecutor.
mo, sir" said Moore.
Jonathan Chesley, nearly so years old
and snow white Of hair and beard, was
the last witness. When asked if he
had seen Jerome win money, he said
"Yes, SIR
How much ?"
Cant say" replied the aged witness.
Summing up, the prosecution pointed
out that dominion law had been en-
acted to protect the public from card
sharps on trains, steamships and other
public conveyances. and that, according
to the evidence, William Travers Jerome,
late district attorney of New York, had
violated this law. Though vague, he |
continued, the statute undoubtedly APP
piled to railroad yards and stations, and /
he asked for conviction.
Mr. Jacobs did NOT oven c,,p, nm fnr
the defense.
"To save the courts time" he said, |
eve should make no statement"
Magistrate Mulvena leaned back and |
pondered for not more than so seconds. |
Apology to Jerome
''In rendering Judgment" he said. AZ
shall be very brief. ! believe every |
right minded man in Canada regrets and |
feels humiliation at the indignity which |
has been placed upon you.
sit is excusable neither in law nor
in fact. The evidence adduced at this |
hearing gives no reasons for the charge
which was laid against you nor for the |
indignities which you have suffered
Il believe, sir, in all the circumstances |
you will not attribute the apparent Of
fense offered you while in a friendly |
country in the discharge of your duty |
ms a public officer to the real thinking
people of this community. You are, sir,
honorably discharged
Silence greeted the conclusion of the !
courts remarks. Then Mr.. Jerome stood /
up.
you may feel assured, your lordship,' !
he said, that ! understand thoroughly /
the circumstances of this case. Since
! have been in Canada have received /
uniform courtesy in Sherbrooke, in
Montreal and, | may say, in Coaticook,
by the thinking people.
Il shall always remember my visit to
Canada with great pleasure. do not 1
feel that | have been Inundated before
the thoughtful people here"
Cheers Drowned by Kisses.
There was a subdued outburst of
cheering when Jerome sat down, but
the cheers were drowned by Kisses and
at calls. Magistrate Mulvena called for
order and the crowd poured out upon the
courthouse lawn.
Mr.. jerome came Immediately to the
station and bought ticket for Island
Pond, Vermont, from where he will mo-