Putnam patriot., 1913-10-31

l Wndham county, and especially the eastern end of 1t, have been interested for weeks past assumed their initial stage in the superior court, this city, Wednesday, Judge William H. Will Hams presiding. Before the day was 1 done Mrs. Jonas Lawson charged with murder in the first degree, had been discharged from custody, Joseph Me | nervi, who was charged with murder, was allowed to plead guilty to man. slaughter and was sentenced to not less than one nor more than two years in states prison, Frank E. Howarth l plead not guilty to arson and his case was assigned for Tuesday, November 4th, at Willimantic, and Lindley Cain, | jointly charged with Howarth, was bro ght to court but was not put to plea.
 Long before it was time for court to come in the topic of conversation on the street was the days sitting of the court. Before 10 o'clock people caught a glimpse of Howarth and Cain as | they were brought to the city ill auto mobiles. The word of their arrival was quickly circulated and people be- gan 10 go to the court room early to be sure of getting a seat and also 10 catch a glimpse of the prisoners.
 Mrs. Lawson was brought from jail in an automobile in which were Sher- ill Slbley, Cain, and Miss Appley, Mrs. | Iawson's nurse. Howarth came in an auto accompanied by state police man Robert Hurley. At no time dur ing the day were Howarth and Cain allowed To be near enough to each oth- CT to converse. It is understood that they have occupied different parts of the jail since the first few days of their incarceration when they occupied ad- joining cells.
 Although the court room was early l filled there was not the large crowd present that was anticipated As soon as all seats had been taken the doors | were locked and no further spectators were admitted. Howarth wasthe on- ly prisoner that the crowd was inter ested in that was in sight. He sat reading a newspaper just to the right of the sheriff's desk. He appeared un- concerned and would occasionally drop his paper and look about and smile. He was dressed in dark blue suit and wore pumps on his feet. Cain was in the bar library, and Mrs. Lawson was seated in the states attorneys office. Minervi was in the pen with the other prisoners. Cain came in before court opened and took a seat at the right of the sheriff desk. If 1t could be said the worse for confinement it was Cain None of the relatives of the young men were in the court room. Several peo- pie took occasion to shake hands with the prisoners and both said they were feeling fine. Howarth stated that he expected to be back In Putnam In a few days. He said he wasn't worry ing over the outcome as he had com | a rumor Of Cain having made some sort of a confession, but he said he could not understand that, as Cain had nothing to confess, at least nothing that could in any way implicate him, | Howarlh. lie was free from even the
 least degree of nervousness as far as outward appearances were concerned.
 The trains were late and Judge Will Hams did not arrive until l0.45. AL 10.55 he ordered court opened. The clerk called the names Of the grand ju- " and the following IS members re- sponded;
 Willis C. Norris, Martin II. Water house, Windham; Marshal J Frink, Canterbury; Archie H. Gallup, Scot land; Attorney Ebert l.. Darbie, Dan- ielson John A. Gilbert, Scotland; Dr. Edward r. Perry, Allan ". Bowen, Putnam; Marcus A. Covell, Thomp. son. Merritt E. Gallup, Pomfret; Will liam $. Warren, Eastford; Wallace l.. Dufkee, Ashford; MerrittWelch, Chap | llHs Efdtlh lbiiitiy ffttiAo ffs tAbu1ts Plainfield; DeForest Wells, Brooklyn; George C. Spooner, Sterling; William H. Phillips, Hampton.
 The Judge took twenty minutes to charge the jury. He instructed them in their duties and explained the law as to the different degrees of murder and as to when the killing of human being is justified. At the close of the charge the jury went into the bar H. brary and began the examination Of witnesses. The indictment which they had under codsiderationicharge Mrs. 1 Amanda Lawson with murder in the irst degree. As instructed by the court they were to hear the witnesses, and If of the opinion that probable cause existed they were to endorse up- on the back of the instrument, True bill If they found that there was not , probable cause they were to endorse , Hpen the back thereof, Not true bill. Mrs. Lawson was present al the hear- ing, but all others, excepting the wit ness under examination, were ezclud- ed from the room including the State 5 ? attorney Iand the attorney for the accused.