Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-22
THAT MOCK TRIAL
SATURDAY EVENING
PROVESA BIG HIT
Draws Large Crowd to the Y. NJ.
C. A. Building and Furnishes
No End of Fun-Rcfresh-
ments Follow.

Amusement in abundance was fur
aished at the mock trial presented
Saturday evening at the Y. NJ. {. A
building by the members Of the inter-
mediate department of that organiza-
ton. The running track over the gym
nasium, which serves as a gallery for
the audience at affairs given in the
building, was crowded TO its fullest
capacity and all thoroughly enjoyed
the evenings entertainment.
The gymnasium was transferred into
a court room and the trial was held
according to the laws which govern a
court room, with certain notifications
made for the convenience OF all par
ties interested. The case before the
court was that Of Barr vs.. Barr, In
which Herbert Folsom, appearing as
the charming little wife Of Alfred Barr,
sought divorce on the ground of cruel
and abusive treatment, and as the re-
suit of the trial she was granted the
divorce.
T. 3. Turner, a graduate of the Uni
versity of Maine Law school, acted as
pjudge. George Dennis was sheriff
while Cony Duncan served in the ca
pacity of clerk of courts. George Paro
acted as court stenographer. The jury
was composed Of: Claude Gilliwater
Milton James,, Sherman Halloweli,
John Quinlin, Oscar Holway, Fuller
Ingraham, Norman Murphy, Jasper
Worthing, Alton Getchell. Conrad
Bragg, Henry Davies. Gerald Cram
and Edwin Lee.
The attorneys for the libellant were
Lawrence Purinton, Franklin Dyer
Merrill Bigelow, while the lbellee was
represented by Wilfred Hail. Many
witnesses were called, all OF whom
had been carefully instructed to tell
story which would seem true to the
smallest detail.
At the opening of the case Attor-
ney Hall moved that the case be dis
missed from the court because the at
torneys for the libellant had taken so
much time TO prepare their case and
had caused the trial to be postponed.
The Judge reserved his decision and
the case was continued.
The witnesses for the libellant were
sworn in. all swearing to tell lie and
nothing but lie Attorney Purinton
then presented the case of the libellant
to the court. stating that Mr.. Barr had
been cruel to his wife and had beaten
her with 5oo-pound shovel and there
fore she sought a divorce.
Mrs. Barr was led to the stand. she
being so weak from her injuries that
she could not walk without assistance.
She was the puny little wife. According
to her testimony she was 81 years Old.
lived in Britt's Gu.ley and had been a
chorus girl before her marriage. AL
though Mr. Burr. who was the proprie-
tor of a peanut stand, had inherited
10000 he never gave her or their son
William any money, and he had often
been cruel TO her.
William Barr, the 5-year-old son OF
Mr.. and Mrs. Barr then testified that
his father never gave him any money
and that he had seen his father at res
taurant with a chorus girl. Miss Bessie
Footlights. Tie part OF William Barr
was taken by Charlie Rabbit.
Samuel Hashley George Wyer) testi-
fed that he was a close personal friend
of William Barr and had seen Mr.. AL
fred Barr at restaurant where he
worked. in company with the chorus girl.
Charles Murphy Philip HID testified
that he drove grocery team and that
he had seen Mr.. Alfred Barr beating his
wife. Mr.. Murphy appeared IS to be
drinking man but his testimony seemed
to impress the jury.
Miss Bessie Footlights Cecil GetchelN
stated that she knew M. Barr and had
accompanied her to the restaurant
number of times. He had given her mon
sy. clothing and jewelry.
The case of the libellee was then pre-
scented by Attorney Wilfred Hall, which
in short was that Mr.. Barr had not been
cruel to his wife, that she had been out
Of the house the greater part Of the time
and that a deed recorded at the registry
IF deeds proved that he (Mr. BARR had
given to his wife the 100000 which had
been left to him.
The Hbellee (Alfred BARR stated that he
vas at home every evening. but his wife
was always out and that he had given
The sum inherited to his wife.
Joe Froberger George Froberger) tes-
tilted that he was a milkman and knew
Mr. Barr to be Of peaceful nature. On
one occasion he heard screams in the
house and upon Investigation found that
Mrs Barr had tripped and fallen down
cellar.
The attorneys then summed up their
sides Of the case, the judge charged the
fury and the jurors retired, returning
soon with their verdict. which granted
he divorce.
At the close Of the trial refreshments
Of ice cream and cake were served by
hose in charge Of the entertainment.
The eight-hour movement in the
Yaik AaA 10. In.