News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1920-12-22
LAMOILLE CO. COURT
Court Notes

Will ord Smith, the beau-brummel of the
Sheriff's coterie, was summoned as jury
man one day last week; but when he ap-
peared, he was promptly rejected because
of his official position.
The jurors attended the Cong'l church
last Sunday morning in body, with Dep
uties Stevens and Kelley in charge. They
heard fine Christmas sermon and we I'm
derstand all enjoyed it.
Never before in the history of the coun-
ty has so large number of jurymen been
called to get the requisite number to try a
case. 126 were summoned before the II
were chosen. II. G. Folsom was No. IL.
The Judge had to reprove the lookers-o on
for the manner in which tn ose who bring
lunches strew their refuse about the
building. He has put stop to that sort
of business, as we'll as throwing cigarettes
and cigar stubs on the floors.
Atty GenI Archibald, who is the chic
prosecutor in the Mudgett case, is an I'M
defatigable worker. He ques lions each
witness thoroughly, going after real infor-
nation in a most courteous and gentle
manly way, getting just what he wants
the jury to know.
There is large attendance of women
folk, some bring their knitting and not a
few carry lunch boxes and hold down
their seats throughout the entire day.
Very few Of these are from the village,
most of them from outside. Said an out
side attorney: why do women want to
attend such trial?" We do not know
Deputy Sheriff Potter has been appoint
ed a doorkeeper at Montpelier for the
coming legislative session. Charlie was
a member in the last House and made
many friends who are pleased at this ap-
pointment. He has a wide acquaintance
and will fill the position with credit to
himself and Lamoille county. This ap-
pointment IS given to the same county but
once in life time, We believe the late
Martin Shattuck once held it.
States Atty. Tracy is the observed
OF all Observers" particularly when he
goes on the stand. He has given his case
close study and cannot ref ain from try
ing to make clear all of the answers to
the questions put to him, knowing how
easy it is for lawyers to get a wrong
answer from witness. Not any of that
for William; he wants his answers clearly
understood, even if he is disposed at
times to reply with more than a simple
yes or no
The jurors are given exercise daily by
taking a walk. Last Saturday Sheriff
Stevens, who had them in charge, suggest
ed a walk around the horn," which COW
ers stretch of about mile. The jurors
thought they were giving the Sheriff too
much of walk, but when the walk had
been covered and the Sheriff suggested
they continue on to Cady's Falls, they
looked in surprise at each other, and one
said, We'll. we don't say go easy any
more; Stevens can out u.s."
That is strong quartette of lawyers
that Mudgett has. Porter, button,
Fleetwood and Clauson-all attorneys of
note. Porter does the questioning of
witnesses genera ly and does it in way
that brings a right answer. Dutton oc.
casionally takes hand at it and he too,
in his Chesterfeldian manner, gets at
bottom facts. Fleetwood occasionally
whispers suggestions to the questioners
which are promptly acted upon, while
Clauson makes notes of the proceedings.
Fred Muzzy, the custodian of the court
house, has put stop to lighting matches
on the walls of the building. He has had
placards posted forbidding the same and
at the bottom Of the notice has a p.ece of
sandpaper telling smokers to scratch
matches here" Woe betide anybody
caught lighting match elsewhere in that
building. Fred is no respector of persons
and says the edict applies to lawyers, as
well as all Others, but not to reporters, be-
cause they strike their matches on the
sole of their shoes.
Coos@I