The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-04-07
CARS OCCUPANTS
TOLD OF FATAL RIDE
In Trial of Seth c. Rich VS.. George II
Cross of North
field.

Two occupants of the Oldsmoblle au-
tomobile in which Mrs. Seth &. Rich Of
Mortified was riding when she was
Killed as the result of the car leaving
the highway on the return trip to North
field after an evening spent in Montpel-
ier, were the first witnesses placed on
the stand in county court this morning
at the opening of the case of Seth c.
Rich, adm, VS.. George Fl. Cross. Frank
| Hutchins, also of Northfeld, told of pro-
posing to Mr.. Cross the trip to Montpcl-
Ter on the August evening the start be-
ing made around o'clock. Nearly an
hour was consumed in making the jour
ney from Mortified, the automobile
travelling slowly all the way.
The party, which comprised Mr.. Cross
who was driving, Mrs. Fred Green, the
witness, and Mrs. Rich, stopped at a
Montpelier club and had lunch. The
witness said that he and Mr. Cross each
drank, during the meal, two rickeys.
sisted of, the witness said lime and vichy
We're used with gin to flavor it." 1t
was an alcoholic drink
They left the club, the only place vis-
tied in Montpelier, about ll20 o'clock,
Mr. Cross being at the wheel of the ma
chine; Mrs Green sat beside him; di-
rectly in back of the driver sat Mr.
Hutchins, and Mrs. Rich was in the rear
seat on the right side of the car. The
witness testified that Mrs. Rich was not
at any time prior to the accident en-
gaging the attention Of Mr.. Cross.
Asked 20 describe the accident as it oc-
Cured, the witness said he knew moth
ing that happened until he picked him
self up in the field He did not observe
any vehicle approaching and so far as he |
observed there were no obstructions in
the road. The highway was smooth, but |
very narrow.
The night was dark and very foggy |
when the party started homcward and I
little could be seen without a light On |
cross-eXamination the witness said that |
Mr.. Cross and none of the other mem
bers Of the party were under the ihhu-
ence of liquor that evening. The ear re-
mained right side up and the lights con-
tinued to burn, after the car had left
the road and stopped in the ravine. He
was sure in his own mind that the car
hit a tree which stood in the field.
Mrs Bessie w. Green. wife Of Fred +
Green, followed Mr.. Hutchinson and
She placed the time of leaving North
ield somewhat later than Mr.. Hutchins
the start was made about $3.50
D'clock Just before the accident oc-
.urred she thought she saw lights ahead
md said to Mr. Cross that she believed
in automobile was coming toward them.
Asked to tell of the accident as she
experienced it, Mrs. Green said that she
ould recall of nothing that happened un-
il she found herself sitting in the car
n the field Mr.. Cross was beside of
er. She did not see or hear Mrs. Rich. I
When the ear left the road she did not
eel any jar, nor did she when the car
topped She sat in the car for mo-
1ent and then alighted being followed :
y the defendant. She was not injured :
nd retained consciousness throughout.
The plaintiff is represented by Warren :,
!, Austin OF st. Adams, and arrayed !
gainst Attorney Austin are Attorneys :
rank Plumley, j. Ward Carver and :
William White for the defense The <
Try empanelled yesterday afternoon fol- a
,ws: William Cooley, Fred Cram, Mar I
n Hebert, Vern Sayton, Bert Nelson, = :
red Darling. T. J. Farrell, Grant Lane, :
NJ. Robinson. Carroll Wheeler, b. Z. ~
anders and S. A. Nelson.
Mrs. Jones Wins $3.50
A verdict for the plaintiff, Jennie L.
mes of Warren, to recover the full
Mount Of life insurance policy carried
I Orvie NJ Jones with the Mutual Life ill
surance company of New York, y
with interest to $3.50 was ~
turned by the jury yesterday after :,
ion in county court. ~
The case went to the jury shortly be- 1
re three o'clock after charge by =
Idge Butler which took up over an +.
ur and in less than fifteen minutes the !,
.elve men returned with the verdict. Ia
le insurance company claimed that the ii
ceased at the time of being examined
r insurance misrepresented with inten-