The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-12-16
SOME CALLED, SOME DIDN'T.
Of IA Witnesses, Only One Said He Had
Got Liquor at Mrs. S. Fontana's.

witnesses in the case OF State VS.. In
toxicating liquor in city court this fore
noon, the liquor seized in a raid made
by police officers at the home OF Mrs,
Santine Fontana, 76 Fortney place, on
the night of Dec. IL, was ordered con-
demned and the respondent, Mrs. Fon-
tana herself, was held for alleged sell
ing. An appeal on the condemnation or
der was taken by Messrs William Wish.
art and i. l.. Scott for the respondent
and the woman, through her counsel,
waived examination, furnishing bail in
the sum of $500 for her appearance at
the March term of county court. A part
of the liquor, one barrel of bottled beer
and two gallons of whiskey, was claimed
by G. Franzi who made his representa-
tions of ownership through the woman's
counsel. A hearing on his claim will be
held later.
No less than Ia witnesses were exam
ined during the forenoon by Grand Juror
A. G. Fay and of that number there was
only one whose testimony could be con-
sdered in the light of disclosure salts
factory to the state The witness was
Charles Besett, who testified to paying
Mrs. Fontana $3.50 per week for table
board that included half glassiof wine
at the end of each midday meal in the
the place of tea, coffee, and milk.
Others testified to visiting Mrs. Fon-
tana's home, some to the house which
she lately occupied on Railroad street
and others to the house at 70 Fortney
place, the scene of the raid Peter Cas-
sidy was none of these, for he swore he
h. L., Vet
of Berlin street had made neighborly
calls on Mrs. Fontana, but had never
paid for occasional glasses of beer con
sumed in her house. Mrs. Watt, his
wife, also testified to the families swap
ping visits. She had known Mrs. Fon-
tana a year past October, she said. She
had cup of tea there sometimes Had
never seen any other body there, in re-
ply to the grand jurors question.
William Jopp said he didn't know
the woman. Neither did Alex. Clark of
Bugbee avenue, according to his own
testimony. William Grant, a conductor,
knew the respondent, as he had frequent
ly visited her house for meal On her
invitation be had partaken of special
dinners at the house on Railroad street
and at her present residence. He had
seen Mr.. Bolton there. The witness, Be
sett, didn't know her present location,
he said, although he had boarded with
her for year on Railroad street. In
the absence of tea, coffee and milk, he
had taken a half glass of wine and a
like portion of water after dinners while
boarding there. He had paid her $3.50
per week for board. John McHardy ad-
f,,st 81 thot L., L. L. =.
house in three years.
Bert Streeter said he lived in Barre,
in answer to the states question as to
residence. Revealing his whereabouts
more definitely, he confessed to a resi-
dence on Camp street. Streeter said he
didn't know the woman in the case.
Frank Smith did know her, but he had
been at her house only to call on other
people. Harry Bolton, who also said he
lived in Barre and later went into de-
tails by testifying to present residence
in a shanty off Granite street, gave his
occupation as that of a car Inspector.
He knew Mrs. Fontana when she lived
on Railroad street and knew the num-
Der on Fortney place. He had carried
and comic supplements down
to little Miss Fontana sometimes. Wit
ness said he had benefited by several in
vitations to dine from Mrs. Fontana.
Last year he had his Christmas dinner
there and had been there since. He had
never paid for any intoxicating liquor
in either house. Alex. Smith of Fortney
place had been in the house just once.
He made no purchases.
Mrs. Alex. Smith never saw the re-
spondent till she entered the court room
She was eognizant of the fact that
Mrs. Fontana had lately moved to the
street on which she lives. At this juno
ture, Grand Juror Fay produced a let
ter and asked the witness ii she recog-
nized the address, the handwriting or the
She denied any knowledge OF
the letter Afterwards the state re-
fused to disclose the nature of the mis-
;ive. Mrs. Smith was excused from fur
her testifying.
Officer Carle, the last witness. told OF |
eading detail of officers to the raid |
asst Thursday night. He admitted that |
,ne of the barrels was marked &C. Fran |
IL" All of the liquor and beer was
iound in the cellar, he said On the |
ground floor three men, strangers, were |
playing favorite indoor game, a"
Harry Bolton, who sat in a chair near
he card table, was not playing, he con
.inued. Counsel for the liquor omitted |
of all witnesses.