Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-11-02


once in awhile, and it is probable that
Caleb Trask of Oakland was of the
belief that Wednesday. with the expe-
rience which it brought to him through
the medium of the municipal court,
was one of his, and he may also be of
| the belief, in view Of the fact that he
has got about six months to pass in
Kennebec Jail, that troubles, like mis-
fortunes, never come singly.
The source of Mr.. Trask's troubles,
according to the story which came out
in court, was a little indiscretion on
his part in dispensing package of in
toxicating liquor, to wit, pint of whis-
key, in violation of the prohibitory law
of the State of Maine. and his troubles
developed Wednesday morning when
he was arraigned before Judge Lam
caster of the municipal court to answer
to charge of single sale, which was
preferred against him by one Reuel
York. aged 10 years. a member of the
colony of Yorks of Yorktown, so-called,
which colony is located in the edge of
the town of China. York alleged that
at about o'clock Monday afternoon
he purchased pint of whiskey of
the sale he could not prove it, and was
found guilty. He was visited with the
usual sentence provided for such cases
and which is $50 and costs and 30 days
in Jail, and in default of payment of
fine and costs 80 days additional.
This case having been disposed of
Mr.. Trask was again arraigned, the
charge in the second case being the il
of int
and the complainant being j. G. Nc
Kenney. When asked by the court if
he was guilty or not guilty the re-
spondent replied that he was not, but
he was speedily found guilty and given
sentence of 500 and costs and 60
days in Jail, and in default of payment
of fine and costs 60 days additional. 1t
is customary in such cases for the re-
spondent to file an appeal to the supe-
rior court and furnish bonds, but the
bonds required for the two Trask cases
would have amounted to $500, and no
such bonds were in sight, and late
Wednesday afternoon Trask went up
over the hill to the Jail to begin his
six months retirement from society.
AS rather mild conclusion to the
mornings docket at the municipal
court one victim of an alcoholic appe-
tite was given a sentence of 50 and
costs. which he paid and departed.
At the afternoon session of the court
there wwas a change of scene, the at
traction offered being an assault case
which grew out Of a little difference
of opinion Tuesday morning between
two operatives at the Edwards mills.
The participants were Miss Demerise
Faucher and Joe Butler, and in the
warrant which was made out for Mr..
Butler she claimed that he had choked
her. In her story to the court when
Joe was arraigned at 3 o'clock she
told Of how he had grasped her by the
neck with both hands so that it hurt
her and that his fingers left marks,
and Mrs. Ducharme, who was a wit
ness to the action. testified that the
man had choked the complainant so
that she was faint and fell to the floor
when he removed his hands from her
neck. She also gave other testimony
against the respondent.
Joe took the stand in his own be-
half, but was somewhat handicapped
because he only speaks intermittent
English. that is. he grasps the meaning
OF some of the simpler sentences and
can use them. but when it comes to the
use Of words of more than two sylla-
bles he is prone to seek refuge in the
use Of his native tongue. Joe's version
Of the assault, the charge Of which he
admitted. was that by direction of his
second hand he started to take a box
Of "roping" which the complainant had
and that when she attempted to strike
him with a stick he grabbed her by
the neck with both hands. It was fl
nally drawn out Of Joe that when the
woman raised the stick as il to hit
him. he told her that If she did she
would be a dead one" Much Of this
statement was secured by means of an
interpreter. and when the court asked
Joe If he really meant to kill the com
plainant he replied: mo, only use
American talk" AS the case went on
the court was convinced by both par
ties concerned that there would be no
further trouble and it was finally dis
posed of by giving the respondent a
sentence Of 80 days in Jail, which same
was suspended.