The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-12-27
Refused to Free Norcross
in Alleged False Pre-
tense Action
HEARING ENDED
IN CITY COURT
ht"'
Defer .,~o. - NO Testi-
Dnony in the
Hearing

Following the examination of l3 more
witnesses in city court yesterday after
noon, Irvine A. Norcross of Hardwick,
who was arrested last week on charge
OF obtaining property by false pretensesi
was held for county court in bonds OF
| 81 600, which he furnished. At the
March term of court, the respondent will
be tried on an allegation which specifies
that he falsely swore to the possession
of two black horses and 10 cows in pur-
chasing Little Six" automobile last
July. Norcross was arrested in Man
chester, n. H., by Deputy Sheriff. w. 4.
Bixby on a complaint made by States
Attorney J. Ward Carver. A hearing
started before Judge II. W. Scott was
continued to yesterday, after half-doz-
en- witnesses for the state had been
heard.
States Attorney Carver and S. Hol.
lister jackson, who represented the state
in the absence of the former last Mon
day, conducted the prosecution and the
respondent was represented by Il. X,
Davis The defense put in no testimony,
but contented itself with attacking the
structure OF the negative evidence intro
duced by the state. In holding Norcross
for county court, Judge Scott stated
that plainly fraud had been practiced by
the defendant, according to the several
witnesses produced by the prosecution.
The hearing did not lack for frequent
legal sparring between the attorneys and
sharp eross-eXamination of the witnesses.
The court room was filed with specta
tors.
Dr. G. A. Carter, Hardwick practi.
tioner. testified to acquaintanceship with
Norcross, although he knew little about
his property. l.. NJ. Hogaboom, farm
er from the same town, said that Nor
cross owed him money last summer.
With the idea of starting attachment
proceedings, he wrote the respondent
and received a reply stating that he
hadn't any property to attach. R. j,
Shurtleff Of Greensboro said he had occa-
sion to look up the property status Of
Norcross last July. The property wasn't
there and he had been watching, futile
ly, he added, for signs of property ever
since.
J.. A. Noble said his home was located
40 rods distant from Norcross' barn in
He had never seen any cows
or horses there, although he admitted
on cross examination, that he had never
searched the barn for stock j. ]. CAL
lagher, also of Hardwick, testified to liv-
ing near Norcross. He had seen the re-
spondent on the street with two horses.
The respondent told him they were his.
Witness further testified to seeing five
or six COWS in Norcross' barn. G. j,
Bell, Hardwick liveryman, said he
hadn't known of any property of the
,,,l in ba fcan bp-
longing to Noreross. Selectman c. A.
Stamford of the same town told of look
ing over the Norcross barn. He had
seen no horses or cows within. The wit
ness was closely cross-examined as to
his scrutiny of the stables. f. E. Foss,
who said ne was a small trader and q
ivervman. told the court that Noreross
didn't own the property, so far as he
could learn. Cross-examined, he said
he based his statement on circumstances.
He denied having driven with Deputy
Bixby in search of witnesses. Asked if
he had had any trouble with the re-
,pondent. witness replied, "There are few
who haven't had trouble with him" He
gave negative rejoinder to the lead
ng question.
Constable A. C. Chase of Greensboro
Bend had served writ on Norcross Aug.
10. At that time the respondent said
ne possessed no property. +. NJ. Hall,
| neighbor of the defendant, said he had
been in the mans barn. He had never
seen the cows or horses there mentioned
n the mortgage. Miss Efiie j.. VALID
-on, town clerk of Hardwick, produced
inventory as presented to her
or filing April TO- It was admitted as
exhibit three in the case, the defense's
objection being overruled. The inven-
,ory was valued at $3.50, a COW worth
s25 and a horse valued at SIPS. Miss
Valdron said the town records contained
10 reference to the transfer of two
lorses and 10 cows belonging to Nor
ross. Cross examined, she said the rec
,rds showed the mortgage given to II.
:. Cutler.
Fred Eastman, another neighbor of
he defendant, said he had never seen
0 cows or two horses in Norcross' barn.
Deputy Bixby, the last witness, told of
making an exhaustive search for signs of
property belonging to Norcross. He had
onsulted some 25 persons, each of whom
ad the same story to tell regarding
he probabilities of Norcross having
After recess of 10 minutes at 3
clock, the state rested its case and the
efense announced its decision not to
Introduce any evidence The states at
omey gave summary of the evidence
nd asked that the respondent be held.
attorney Davis declared that much of
he states case rested on hearsay evil
ence and asked to have his client dis
harged. Mr.. jackson closed the case
Of the state.