Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1913-06-20


The cases Of Edwin = White and
his wife, Jennie j. White, were begun
before Judge SUBWAY and a jury IN
the superior court in this city Tuesday
morning. Both eases are being tried
together as they are Of 2 similar nature
and arose out Of the same cause. De
PENDANT in the action is the city Of
Putnam.
Plaintiffs claim that the city was
negligent IN not giving warning that a
steam roller was at work on School
street near the junction of Mechanics
street on the morning Of November
Attn, 1911. That on account of said
negligence their horse ran away and
they received injuries 5000 is claim
ed in each case.
Mr. White was the first witness lie
said he was farmer and had lived IN
P0mfret 30 years. On the morning
when the accident happened he, with
his wife, left their home 10 go to
Thompson to attend funeral. They
proceeded along Providence street in
this city and turned into School street
at Beonard's corner. lie was driving
horse hitehed in an open buggy. lie
had bought the horse when colt and
had broken ii himself. 1t was about
nine years old on the day Of the acct
dent. lie said he noticed nothing
when he turned into School street ex-
cept two autos standing still. Got
about half way through when horse
began 10 show signs of fear When he
looked up he saw roller approaching
ABOUT 300 feet away. His wife said he
had better get out as Elsie would be
afraid. He got out and took her by
head, the roller continuing To approach.
The horse reared, the bride broke and
he caught the horse by the nose. She
dragged him about 100 feet back along
the street and threw him and he knew
nothing more until he came to in a
house. Went to the hospital but when
DE fcHme TO his senses left. His wife
remained in the hospital eight weeks.
Ire received scalp wound, hip badly
bruised and bruise ON left side.
have a man To help him. When he
went to bed he could not lay on his
left side and that was his condition
now. lie was troubled with pains in
The groin but at first paid little atten-
ton TO it. Came TO Putnam and con-
suited doctor and "A truss was recon-
mended us he was informed he had
rupture. Harness was ruined To the
extent of $40, wagon $40, and horse de-
preciated in value 800. There was no
warning Roller came within 200 feet
or less. Ii did not stop. Didn't see 1t
sooner because il was in the hollow
towards the foundry and around
curve.
On cross examination he said he did
not see sign half in the road and half
on the sidewolk. Roller was coming
six or seven miles an hour. Went
back 10 the place in the afternoon and
could identify where roller was. Horse
began To act bad and he got out and
took it by the head. " AS familiar
with seeing steam rollers. Had
bride three or -four years old. Horse
ran away when four years old in Dan
aelson. Drove her with kicking strap,
On advice. Might not have been look
ing ahead all of the time. Horse
stopped and he got out Handed wife
geins. Horse had stopped trotting.
Horse did need control. Showed colt
sshness.
Fred j. Mathews said he went up
the .street earlier in the morning and
saw no signs that roller was there.
There was another way 10 go by near
Dumas house and would have taken it
had there been sign up.
Mrs. White testified substantially
ghe same rs her husband She looked
up and SAW the roller right upon them.
said, "k.lsie will be afraid you had
better get OUT Her version of the ac-
cident was practically the same as her
husbands. Her injuries were a brok
en- leg just above the knee, She was
eight weeks In the hospital and con-
fined 10 her bed In all about sixteen
weeks. Can't get about as well now.
Nervous system shattered. Doesn't
sleep good nights. Awakens with a
start. Head troubles her. Limps and
has pain. Had driven the horse and
sound her all right. Never saw any
thing ungentle about her. Saw no
signs or warning.
Cross examined said she knew the
horse would shy. Knew IL had run
away. Knew IL broke away at Pom
frel station. Didn't consider il high
spirited horse. Showed life and driv-
et needed to be on the alert. Horses
pecuLaities were being a little shy.
Had been with husband when horse
SHE'D at steam cars. Saw roller on up
grade. Told husband Elsie was get
ENG afraid. Told him 10 let horse 20
after ii turned around. Husband
didn't tell her 10 get out. Thought
she couldn't have gotten out. Saw
aIsp rock in trolley track, looked up
and said Elsie would be afraid. Didn't