Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-09-04
CHELSEA MEN
TRIED ON CHARGE
LARCENY OF HAY
Peaslee Cousins Took Their Pay
in Unusual Way, but Court
Allowed Settlement
INTERESTED PARTIES
ARE ALL FROM CHELSEA

Willis and SeWall Peaslee Of Chel-
sea, cousins. were before Judge Lam
caster in the municipal court Friday
morning to answer to the charge of
larceny. The compliments. Mr.. and
Mrs. Charles H. Irving Of Chelsea
charged that the respondents had
stolen hay belonging to them from the
barn on their Chelsea farm. The
compliments were represented by At
torney Burleigh Martin and Judge At
kins of the Gardiner municipal court
appeared for the respondents.
The compliments testified that the
Peaslee cousins had been employed by
Mr.. Irving to harvest his hay, the con-
sideration for said work to be $50 or
hay to the value of $50, and the pay
ment to be made October l. The hay
having been harvested. Mr.. Irving en-
ployed the Peaslee cousins again to
cart it to Gardiner for him for deliv
cry to one Mr.. Merrill to whom he had
sold it. Mr.. Irving said that on Aug.
81 the first load was carted to Gar
diner and delivered to the consgnee.
The following day a second load was
hauled to Gardiner by cousin Willis
and sold for 81, and a third load
carted by cousin Willis to some point
unknown to him. 1t developed from
the testimony of the Peaslee cousins
that the third load was hauled to the
Feaslee premises.
The Peaslee cousins. men of about
the same age and about so years along
in life, sought to establish the grounds
that the hay was their property by
reason Of a contract they had made
with Mr.. Irving providing that for
their work at harvesting the hay crop
they should receive $50 worth of hay.
Sewall Peaslee, a tall, well-spoken
man who enunciated his words most
deliberately. declared that he and his
cousin are upright, honest men and
intended only to take away as much
hay as was their due. Judge Lam
caster could not justify the statement
that the Peasles believed the hay to
be theirs with the acknowledgment
that Mr.. Irving had been asked to pay
for the hauling of the second load to
Gardiner. said load of hay having
been sold for SIT and the principal
sum slowed in the Peaslee exchequer.
Mrs. Irving. who watched the men
load the third rack of hay. said they
appeared to be in a hurry and, upon
question by Attorney Martin, Cousin
Sewall declared that Cousin Willis is
a very hasty man, almost always in
a hurry and quick Of motion.
Judge Atkins argued that the case
was properly one for a civil trial as
there existed nothing but a misunder-
Of payment and the State had failed
to prove that any intent to take prop
erty dishonesty was shown in the
conduct of the cousins. He said he
believed the respondents should not
be adjudged guilty Of larceny and CIV
en- criminal record at their advanced
ages Just because of a misunderstood
ing in a business transaction with
their neighbors.
Attorney Martin said he believed
misunderstanding did exist or was
made to appear to exist by the Peas
lee cousins, but that nevertheless the
attitude Of the cousins was not COM
menda BILE in the light Of proper con-
sideration due property owners and
he was of the mind that larceny had
been committed.
Judge Lancaster declared that the
conduct of the cousins fell far short
of his approval and suggested that
settlement be attempted before he
gave judgment. He thereupon sus-
pended judgment and the counsel for
compliments and respondents arrang-
ed settlement. The respondents
thereafter walked forth.