The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-10-31
Miss Mildred Brewster, in
Asylum Nearly 20 Years,
Is to Go Free
ORDER W. .SSUED
BY { s, ,RT TO-DAY
Woman lied Annie Wheel
er; Wa md Not Gull
ty Because Insane

An order releasing Mildred Brewster,
for nearly score of years an inmate
| OF the state hospital for the insane at
Waterbury, was made by Judge Frank
/, Fish in Washington county court this
morning, the order, however, being pro-
visional, placing the woman in charge
OF Sheriff Frank H. Tracy. Sheriff
Tracy will accompany Miss Brewster TO
Bellingham, Wash, where she has been
offered home. The officer will investi-
gate conditions and if he deems them
satisfactory will allow her to stay.
Miss Brewster was committed to the
state hospital in 1897 following her trial
for the murder of Annie Wheeler in
Montpelier, the jury finding her not gull
ty by reason of insanity. She was re-
leased from the institution eight years
ago and made her home in Hardwick. but
was returned. She tried to commit sui
eide upon her return, but failed in the
attempt and several weeks ago the su-
pervisors of the insane, believing with
other experts that she was not insane,
brought petition for her release Their
action was not approved of by Supt.
Grout of the hospital and he with two
other members of the hospital staff tes-
titled during the hearing held last week
that she was not fit person to have her
liberty.
Miss Brewster was recalled to the
stand yesterday afternoon by the states
attorney and asked what plans she had
in mind should she be released She told
the court that she planned to go to
Bellingham, Wash, to reside, that she
would not resent it if placed under some
restraint and had enough money to trav-
ell across the continent.
Thornton Trial Started To-day.
A jury was drawn this forenoon to
try the case of State VS.. Wilbur Thorn
ton of Grantham, n. H., charged with
assault and robbery on John Collett in
Barre Oct. 20. J. Ward Carver repre-
sents the respondent and the states at
torney is conducting the prosecution.
The jury is as follows: Charles Bull
]. p. Hutton. c. p Spaulding. r. B. Ken
Hall, George Cooper, j. F. Moloney How
ard Curtis, f. A. Lamphere and Alvah
Newhall. The information filed against
Thornton charges him with stealing a
watch and three dollars in money from
@ollett
Collett was on the stand considerable
part of the forenoon. He testified to
Meeting Thornton in Barre, after which
hey made the rounds of the saloons. go
ng then to Jacks lunchroom on Depot
square From there, the witness contin
led, they went to the platform of the
Montpelier & Wells River railroad near
". and it was there that Thornton at
acked and robbed him. Collett then told
# going with an officer to the Central
rermont station, where they found
Thornton. Witness said he was present
vhen the officer put his hand i'll pocket
f Thornton's maekinaw coat and pulled
ut his (Collett's) watch. Collett tes-
flied that he bought all the drinks that
light.
This latter part of the testimony the
'hornton had money and that he paid
Or a share of the drinks.
After ColIett's testimony had been fin
he'd. John Cayhue proprietor of sa-
,on in Barre. was called to the stand.
e testified to seeing Collett in his saloon
nd he also told of being at the station
hen the officer pulled a watch out OF
hornton's coat. Cayhue was still on the
and when court took a recess for din
pr.
Cola Conitted for Observation.
Another chapter in a shooting atfray
hich occurred on North Seminary street
Barre one Sunday in early October
as written to-day when Pasquale Cola
Barre was ordered committed to the
ate hospital in Waterbury for observa-
On. Cola was charged with shooting
th intent to kill and for fortnight
ter the row he was lodged in the coun-
Jail. only to obtain his release week
o when friends furnished bail of Sl0,-
0 for his appearance in court this
EEK. Cola had been living in Brook
rect and the trouble which led to the
ooting is said to have started from
me of cards.
For few davs after the card rumpus,
ia was in the City hospital receiving
,atment for scalp wound. He was ar
,ted and held for county court, J.
ard Carver appearing for him in the
aIiminarv examination The action of
p court means that the state case
ainst him is continued to the March
N, ~ countv court