Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1915-08-21
AUTO DRIVER AT WESTERLY HELD
Edmond A. Crosby Whose Machine Struck and Killed Iona
Vaset, Under $4,000 Bonds-Norwich Witnesses Give
Testimony Hearng-H. Earle Pitcher, Express Driver
Killed By Train.

In the Third district court, Friday
Judge oliver H Williams, presiding
there was a hearing in the case of
Thomas z. Brown, chief of police,
against Edmund A. Crosby, charged
with manslaughter in operating the
automobile that struck and killed lit
tie Iona Vaslet, when on the Watch
Hill road, last Sunday. He was adj
judged probably guilty and held for
trial at the next term of the superior
court for Washington county. Young
Crosby furnished a bond of $4,000 for
appearance, with surety satisfactory
TO the court.
John J. Dunn, counsel for the &C
cused, said he had been called into the
case last Tuesday evening, did not
have time to investigate the case care
fully. and asked that the hearing be
continued for one week. He said there
were a number of witnesses that he
has not been able to talk with. and
that the coroner who was investigat-
ing the case had not yet filed his re-
port. He said the continuation should
be granted also for the reason that
there was liability of action by the
coroner that might be opposite to the
courts finding, should the hearing go
on.
Town Solicitor Agard said that Cros-
by was arraigned August Is and that
sci for defense to be prepared for this
hearing. He said there were witness
es summoned in, that might not be
available a week hence. as all were
not townspeople. and might not con-
sent to come to an adjourned hear
ing, and cause some embarrassment to
the state. In the matter of the corr
oner's action, he said even should the
coroner decide that Crosby is not
guilty of the charge of manslaughter.
that would not prevent the chief Of
police from bringing a complaint on
the same charge. The state is anxious
to proceed, he said.
Judge Williams decided that coun-
sci for defense did not urge sufficient
reason for a dlscontinuance Of the
hearing.
Mrs. Alfred VasIet, mother of the
dead child, was the first witness call
ed. She was dressed in deep mourning
and almost completely overcome with
grief and seemed bordering on the
hysterical. After the oath was ad-
ministered, Attorney Dunn again asked
for a continuance, due TO the nervous
ness of Mrs. Vaslet, saying he did
not have the heart to cross-examine
the witness and that she ought not to
be subjected to cross-examination at
this time. Judge Williams ruled there
was not sufficient reason for discon-
tinuance.
Mrs. Vaslet testified that she left
Westerly Sunday morning August 18th,
on a trolley car for Watch Hill, ac-
companied by her three children,
Charles, aged 9, Iona, aged and Alice
| aged 2. When the Pleasant View
switch was reached they got off at
the waiting platform as that car was
bound to Pleasant View. While wait
| ing for the next car to Watch Hill, the
big motor bus coming from Watch
Hill towards Westerly, stopped on the
opposite side of the street from the
station, and solicited passengers for
Watch Hill All on the platform, per-
haps Is people, went across the street
and all were able to get seats except
| the witness and her three children.
While the motor bus was still az the
point where it had stopped, witness
and the children started back for the
| platform station Mrs. Vaslet had
Alice by the hand, Charles was at her
side, and Iona was just ahead of her
| and within her reach. As they stepped
from behind the motor bus, the auto
mobile came along very fast, struck
Iona and carried her along for quite
| a distance. Mrs. Vaslet said she heard
no noise of the approaching automo-
| bile and no warning horn was sound
ed, and no automobile was in sight as
| she stepped from the rear of the mo-
| tor bus. The automobile whizzed by,
and could not be stopped until IL went
long distance down the road. down
beyond where the trolley tracks cross
the road for Pleasant View. Mrs. Vas
let identified Crosby as the young man
who drove the automobile that killed
| the little girl.
| In response to queries by Mr.. Dunn
Mrs Vaslec testified that she did not
| have Iona by the hand and that the
little girl did not run ahead The wit