Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-02-22
DENY THE CHARGES.
Proprietor and Assistant Claim Not "a
Have Served Liquor.

Proprietor ana Assistant Claim Not to
Have Served Liquor.
A. @. MCGEE. a negro, proprietor Of the
Montreal House on Battery street, and
Irene Foster. white. his assistant at the
place Of business, were arraigned in city
court yesterday afternoon on separate
warrants charging the offering for sale
and the sale Of Intoxicating liquors. Both
pleaded not guilty and the hearing. which
occupied all Of yesterday afternoon, will
be taken UP again this morning The two
we're arrested on warrants issued by
States Attorney Martin, who is prosecuting
tho case. The respondents are represented
by J. J. Enright and " A. Builard.
The principal witnesses for the State
were Mrs. Anna Thornton, James Collins
and William Welsh, who were arrested
at the house Saturday night and who
have pleaded guilty to the charge of
adultery and are now awaiting sentence.
All three testified to having been served
with two rounds OF drinks at the Montreal
House while they were there Saturday
night. The two men. both Of whom are
members Of the Second cavalry, testified
to having paid for the liquor. which they
claim was Intoxicating paying thirty
five cents a round. The witnesses for the
State told stories which conceded. When
asked by Attorney Enright II they had
not stated before him and others that
the drink they had was sweet and
syrupy and not Intoxicating, both men
denied that they had made any such
statement They did agree that they did
not know what was in the drink but that
IL was intoxicating. Mrs. Thornton said
that the drink looked and tasted to her
much the same as two which she had
taken out Of bottles offered her by the
soldiers earlier in the evening. She said
that when they called for II they called
for whiskey. The men testified that the
Foster woman said she had no whiskey
but something just as good, namely
Sweet Marfe.'
Officers Hanlon. MCGOWAN, vaiyou and
Delaney were also called by the State to
testify as to the arrests.
| An attempt was made by Mr.. Enright
to show by the testimony Of the soldiers
that they had been promised by States
Attorney Martin that he would suggest
to tho court that their sentences on the
adultery charges to which they had
pleaded guilty be not over a year with
the possibility Of fine If they would go
into court and testify in the cases OF the
respondents. MCGEE and Foster. Both
witnesses denied that Mr.. Martin had
made them such a promise. F. G. Webster.
who was attorney for the soldiers. and
who was in the room at the time Mr..
Enright claimed the conversation was
held, was also called. Mr.. Webster
testified that Mr.. Martin made no such
promise to his clients.
! J. ]. Enright took the stand and beine
questioned by Attorney Bullard stated
that he had been present when Welsh
had stated to Mr.. Webster and his
lieutenant that he was not guilty OF
adultery and to plead guilty would be
lying. Mr. Enright further testified that
both soldiers had stated at the same time
that the drink they had was sweet and
that they had both stated that It was
not intoxicating.
Both MCGEE and the Foster woman
were called in their own defense. The
Foster woman claimed that she had moi
served the three drinks at the Montrea
House. McGee made a poor witness and
insisted upon talking too much and al
other times referring Mr.. Martin to hi.
attorneys for answers until he wa.
reprimanded by the court and told tina,
il he did not answer the questions put t.
him by the prosecuting officer ne woult
be made to do 60 MCGEE stated that h,
and Irene had been doing the work abou
the house. the cooking. ironing. chamber
work. etc. He stated that when he wa.
busy Irene had charge Of the registerin,
Of guests at the house and had power I,
turn them away or give them rooms a,
she saw fit.