Norwich bulletin., 1914-06-25

day In the superior court testifyfng in his own defense in ithe suit brought against him by John F. Craney for damages of s2o. COG for islander and libel. It was one of the very warm days of the summer so far and it was also 8 warm one for the witness who found plenty of use for handkerchief in mopping the precipitation from his face and head and in clearing of his glasses that became logged at times when he wanted to look at the letters or photograph exhibits that occupied a large part of the time.
 Mir Donovan took the stand at HOT o'clock and was on until the noon re- cess at l o'clock. He had another session on the stand in the afternoon from o'clock until the close of court His attorneys finished his direct ex- animation and handed him over for cross examination by the attorneys for the plaintiff. which. took up the last half hour of the day.
 Further cross examination of MT. Donovan will follow today and the de- fense will also introduce more wit nesses among whom will be handwrit- ing experts to show that MT. Donovan did not write any of the anonymous postal cards which have been intro duced in the case. It is understood that the defense will not have great number of witnesses.
 CivH Engineer resumes.
 When court came in on Wednesday morning, Civil Engineer George B. Pitcher resumed his description of the plan of the second floor of the Alice building where the office of MT. Craney was on July 3, 1913. He said that there is drilled hole in the let ter box cover in the door Of the office and that the interior of the room can bee seen by looking through tho hole.
 Pictures of craney's Office.
 During his attendance at the trial MT. Donovan has almost constantly carried with him a package tied up in wrapping paper This was unwrappsd on Wednesday and it's contents, which were nine photographs were made ex- hibits in the case. They showed in- terior and exterior views of room No. 10 in the Alice building which had been the office of MT. Craney. There was no person shown In any of the pictures. Attorney John H. Barnes conducted the examination of MT. Pitcher.
 In cross examination of this wit ness Attorney R. M. Douglass asked many questions about the exterior and interior of the Alice building and its surroundings. MT. Pitcher said he
 Mir Pitcher said the plan was made April 13. 1913. He did not know whether or not he could see the Cra- ney office from the head of the stairs. The photographs were taken April 3 his office and MT. Pitcher knew it. Once the hour was between and 2 a. m. and the other between and Il a. m. MT Pitcher was accompanied by his assistant. He did not see any one about the place.
 Defendant on the Stand.
 At 11.07, Attorney Barnes called MT. Donovan, the defendant to the stand MT. Donovan said he Is 50 years old, was born in Norwich, is a brick mason and contractor. has built prominent buildings and has been street com missioner, assessor, deputy highway commissioner and had held other of fees.
 He was asked as to his acquaintance with the plaintiff, John F. Craney, and said that he had known him for years and had given work to members of the family when he was street commission CT. He had also aided MT. Craney in getting part of the insurance on the Elks' home.
 The witness said he had first met Mrs. Willard A. Church at the home of Dr. N B. Lewis, in October, 1903 Shortly after that he gave MT. Church wOrk at the city barn.
 MT. Donovan said he called upon Mrs Church at her home and at her invitation and that she had written him thousands of letters before July, 1912. The witness said he had also had talk with Mrs. Church on Cliff street fin 1912 and she asked what kind of fellow Craney was and he told her that he was a good fellow,
 Remarks and Answers Ruled Out.
 MT. Donovan was a very discoursive witness and had to be held to the torney, but he made a number of statements in the course of his testi- mony that were ruled out by the court
 Among these he said that he gave Mrs. Church SIC at the time of the above talk At another point he said he had spent $S,000 on her and that he was through with her. This was at time, he said, when he met her by appointment on June 29; 1912. at Hilltop in Montville. At that time they talked matters over, MT. Donovan intimate with MT Craney and broke down and wept and asked that MT. Donovan do nothing to injure MT. Craney as he was a poor man. Mrs. Church spoke of visiting places in Norwich soon after June 22 and among lu0 pldCeS S00 went Into a. Ia1lOr SlOp and ordered a coat and Mir Donovan said he would pay for it. The answer was ruled out
 Watching the Alice Building.
 MT Donovan stated that he saw Mrs. Church going into the Alice building from June 22 up to July 8, 1912. He told of seeing Mrs. Church go into the Alice building about a. m. July 3 and about that time saw Mir. Craney near the post office. MT. Don ovan went to the Alice building and to Dr. Comeau's office and then left the building. MT. Donovan said he watched the Alice building until 10 but did not see Mrs. Church come out He had man named Walter Hill watching the office at the time
 Then MT. Donovan told in detail about finding Mrs. Church in the Cra- ney office on July 8, 1912. He at first called up the Craney office and some one answered. He had seen the wo- man enter the Alice building a short time before. He went in a round about way to the Alice building and heard voices in the Craney office. and, lifting up the lid of the letter box, looked In and saw Mir. Craney and Mrs. Church sitting In the same chair. Then thev cha ytged posfffOps and Mr