Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-10-16
SUPREME COURT
Verdict of $1,000 for Plaintiff Re.
turned in Case of Skene VS..
Graham Court Cases To-
day

A verdict of $1,000 for the plaintiff
was returned at Saturdays session of
the supreme court in the case Of J. w.
Skene Of Augusta VS.. George H. Ora
ham of Bangor, ct al. the last of the
jury trials this term. The case was
given to the jury about o'clock in the
afternoon and the verdict was returned
at about $50 p. m.
At the close Of the case The jury
which had been sitting on it was finally
excused. Court cases will be in order
for this morning.
Forenoon Session
Facts admitted by the plaintiff were
recorded at the opening of court. 1t
was admitted that the weight Of the
Packard car was 1900 pounds and the
weight of the Ford automobile 1900
pounds, and that the Ford car was II
feet in length over all.
Two letters which had been identified
were offered by the defendant, both
having been written by the plaintiff to
John r. Graham of Bangor. The first
letter, dated Sept. 8. 1913. spoke about
the damage to the Ford machine in the
collision, stating that it would cost
about 5000 to make it as good as new.
The plaintiff had also written that he
only wanted to be made whole again
and was glad to get off with his life.
In the second letter the plaintiff had
written that he thought the Packard
car belonged to Mr.. Graham, that he
was glad to hear the owner was in
sured, and that he hoped to meet the
owner the next week and have the mat
ter adjusted to the satisfaction of all
concerned.
Attorney Ryder spoke regarding an
action entered in the supreme court at
Bangor, the case being that of The
Wade & Hunter Carriage Co. vs. Mr.
and Mrs. Graham, in which the action
was for damage to the Ford car, and
Mr.. Ryder said the certified story of
the writ and declaration was offered
for the purpose Of showing that the
suit was commenced by the owner of
the Ford car.
Harry A. Haas of Philadelphia, Pa,
the chauffeur of Frank Silliman, Jr.,
in 1913, was re called to the stand by
the defense. He testified that after
the collision of the two automobiles
Mr.. Graham did not ask him what he
was there for, and he further testified
that he did not speak word there.
Witness upon cross examination by
attorney Mclean could not remember
whether or not in the former trial he
had been asked to trace the course Of
the Packard car from Water street to
Western avenue. or whether at the last
trial he had testified about going up
(yrnvo SfrQof n1 hox h.
Attorney Mclean then offered the
testimony OF Mr.. Haas at the last trial
regarding the route taken through Au-
gusta.
Rebuttai
The plaintiff. Mr.. Skene, was called
to rebut the testimony Of DR.. Arson A.
Cobb Of Auburn but he was not per-
mitted to testify on the ground that the
conversation took place prior to the
death Of Mr.. Graham.
Albert E. Hunt of Augusta testified
that he was in full view of Grove street
and Western avenue, the portion ada
cent to State street, and that the Pack
ard car did not go up Grove street, back
up and proceed up Western avenue He
testified that the car made a wide turn
and went up western avenue.
Cross-examined, witness said that the
car in making the turn might have starr.
ed up Sewall street but it did not back u,,
Witness upon redirect examination said
the car did not stop nor slack its speed
much: he did not think the driver had
shifted gears.
w. B. Peacock of Augusta testified that
at Attorney McLeans request he hac
measured the distance from Sewall street
westerly to the kinsman driveway and it
was 16S feet. Witness said when he came
out Of Higgins street he had an unob-
structed view of Grove street
Mrs Skene, wife of the plaintiff, testi-
fed that she had been married 16 years
and that to her knowledge Mr.. Skene had
not consulted DR.. Cobb in reference to his
ears. Witness stated that John r. Gra-
ham testified at the last trial of the case
but DR.. w. w. Parmlee of Auburn did
not testify then. Mr.. Skene was en-
ployed in 1913 at the Wade & Dunton
Motor Car Co.
Ira E. Holmes of Lewiston on the stand
identified a purchase blank used by the
Wade & Dunton Co in 1913 and at the
present day.
Attorney Mclean then read testimony
Of Mr.. Haas given at the former trial
The case was argued by the attorneys
at the forenoon session and at the open
ing of the afternoon session Associate
Justice Cornish gave the charge to the
Jury.
Court Cases Today
The following court cases are in order
for this morning:
15-Raymond vs. Raymond. Maher;
Carleton.
17-Fales vs. Morse Clair: Nelson.
1S-Gayton VS. Danforth. Newell & Skel-
ton: McGillicuddy & Morey.
75--Wight Apneiiant from Decree Of J.
Lean: Andrews & Nelson.
S5-Burgess. Petn'r VS. Higgins ct els.
Eaton: Andrews & Nelson.
92-Foster. Petnr VS.. Furbush ct ais
Field: Eaton, Newell & Woodside
117-Cunningham, Appellant from Decree
of J. of P. Maher
11S-Ellis. Appellant from Decree Of J. Of
P. Andrews & Nelson
123-Sawtelle. Petn'r VS.. Cassidy Clair.
Rowe ct al in Equity vs. Fraternal
Order Of Eagles. Clair; Andrews 4
Nelson.
RIcHMoND's FALL OPENING.
Today the Concluding Day Of Special
Autumn Displays.