Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-10-19
A TRIAL THAT STOPPED SUDDENLY.

TRIAL THAT STOPPED SUDDENLY.
II George r. Campbell, otherwise
known as Robert Campbell, had waited
until the 14th of July, 1897, before be
took his colt and gig and made his way
from what had borne the label of home in
the town of Upton TO Dallas Plantation,
instead of landing in Dallas on the 14.h
of June in the same year, this case
would never have happened For Camp
bell had lived in Upton since he was
year old, and on the 10th day of July,
1892, he became twenty one years of age.
II he had remained resident of Upton
for five years continuously after that
date, be would have acquired what the law
recognizes as ''pauper settlement" in
that town, and unless that settlement
was later changed by five years continu-
Gus residence in some other town with
out receiving aid, he and his family
would legally and unquestionably have
been charges upon the town of Upton.
This is generally familiar law.
But on the l4th of June, as nearly as
any witness could fix the date, he made
the Journey as mentioned, to Dallas
Plantation, and there in October follow
ing he married him wife of the daugh-
tiers of the land, one Jennie Campbell,
who AYERS that she was at that time less
than thirteen years Of age, though the
official documents in the office OF the
plantation clerk record her age as IA
At any rate, though it was testified that
her husband had agreed to stay and
work for her father, so that she could
stay in school and look after her mother
who was not in good health, almost i'm
mediately after the marriage ceremony
he took her "back to Upton" and they
lived there the larger part OF the time
for the next few years.
Now the question at issue in the case
ia, did Robert Campbell, when he went
from Upton to Dallas in June, 1897, af-
ter the death Of his mother 10 February
preceding, intend to abandon his resi-
dence in the town of Upton, and take up
new residence in Dallas? He says he
didn't, and the town of Rumford, an in
terested party, backs him up in 1t. But
the town of Upton, also an interested
party, declares that he left that town on
that occasion without any intention of
returning. Aud that is the question.
Eventually the wife whom he married
in Dallas secured divorce, and later he
married another. In course Of time this
second wife fell into distress in the town
of Rumford, and an expense OF some
5000 or 500 was incurred on her behalf,
which is the basis of this suit.
The suit was brought by the town OF
Rumford against the town Of Upton. II
was tried at tho last March term, and
verdict for the defendant town was re.
turned. On exceptions the case went to
the Law court, which sustained the ex'
ceptions and ordered new trial. This
new trial began Wednesday morning.
James B. Stevenson and A. e. Stearns
were counsel for Rumford, and James
s. Wright and Alton G. Wheeler for Up,
ton. A jury was drawn, With care to
see that no residents of Rumford or Up
ton were allowed on it, but another little
detail was overlooked, which shall ap'
pear later. with due damages.
The taking of evidence dragged slowly
through what remained Of the day Wed
nesday, though the other trial had made
| Il possible to eliminate considerable I'M