Connecticut western news., 1919-12-18
RALPH FARNUM'S
 LETTERS INTRODUCED
Trial of Canaan Drug Store Case Continued in Su-
 perior Court

The Canaan drug store case of Eugene A. Benjamin of Stockbridge, Mass, vs. Ralph T. Farnum of Ca- naan was still on trial in superior court Wednesday. The cross-exam- ination of the plaintiff was conclud- ed about Il o'clock. He had detail ed the transactions covering about six years. He was asked by Attor- ney Nickerson, counsel for the de- fendant, what bills he objected to and he said he objected to the pay ment of personal accounts, such as life insurance, shoe bills, dry goods and for other goods for personal use out of partnership funds. It was shown that Farnum had drawn checks on the Canaan National bank for $1O,543.28, for which an explanation was asked, and $7,072.46 on the Ma tional Iron bank of Falls Village and $1,9O132 on the cashbook that was not on the checkbooks. These items, it was stated, were obviously for household and personal expenses and had nothing to do with the drug store business.
 H. R. Brinton of Salisbury follow ed MT. Benjamin on the stand. He testified that he sold two automobiles to Farnum, the first in 1916 for $835, 7 for which he received two rcheckS,e0nei for $335 and the other for $500, which it had been previously shown were partnership checks. He sold the second automobile to MT. Farnum Sept. 4, 1917, for $1,250, for which he received check for $355, and it was shown that on Oct. 1, 1917, MT. Farnum drew check in his own favor for $4OO. Witness said he al- lowed Farnum $500 for the old car.
 Attorney P. J. Ashe of North Adams said his services as attorney for MT. Benjamin began in March, 1918. He went to see MT. Farnum to effect a settlement if possible. He told MT. Farnum that MT. Benjamin wanted to sell and did not want to buy the Canaan store. MT. Farnum told him he would give Benjamin $6,OOO for the Canaan store provid- ed Benjamin relieved him of the Sheffield store obligation, amounting to $1,4OO. MT. Ashe said he talked with Farnum about his having over- drawn over $8,0O0 that did not be- long to him. Farnum did not deny it. He did not know the amount, but whatever he had had he had put down on the books,
 Mr. Ashe said that on April l, 1918, he had talk with MT. Farnum and his father in the rear of the Ca- naan drug store. They told him they had been to see MT. Benjamin at Stockbridge and were going to settle with him. MT. Ashe told them they would never be able to settle with MT. Benjamin on the terms and con- ditions suggested by them. MT. Ashe told them they should not attempt to acquire lease of the store prop erty in Canaan. MT. Farnum, ST., told him they had already taken a lease of the store in their own names. After the conversation, MT. Ashe said he went to the trolley station to take a car and five minutes later MT. Far mum, Sr. appeared with a stranger and served a notice on him as attor- ney for MT. Benjamin to quit posses sion of the Camp drug store on or before April 12, 1918.
 A number of letters written by MT. Farnum to MT. Benjamin were introduced by Attorney Mum for plaintiff. In one, dated March 20, MT. Farnum wrote in part:
 Regarding the Sheffield store, have come to the conclusion that it is a very poor policy to sell anything without a profit, therefore I must change my original offer of 1,400 to $1,500 which is mighty small profit one should derive from store doing the business that has done. This would not do if you were willing to allow me a bonus equivalent of $500 per year for the good work I havel done. Anything above that, and which is clearly shown on my books, ] I will pay you in cash that amoHnt8i and we can continue on, and I must know very soon what we are going to dos, as am fast losing all interest in the store which I have made suchl a successful proposition of and I dis like to have such a feeling. Let me know quickly. Figures now are $6,000 for Canaan interest, $2,500 for Sheffield, Or grant me the bonus of $500 for six years service and ac- cept difference in cash and continue on in business.
 "These are wartimes. Ralph"
 Another letter introduced read as follows:
 March 29, 1919. Dear MT. Benjamin:
 ssMxy fo+har thoy1Oht vvn shorId mt