Norwich bulletin., 1920-12-08
WESTERLY

The superior court for Washington county reconvened in Westerly Tuesday with Judge Barrows succeeding Judge Sumner as presiding justice. The first cases were the two brought by Baptiste Bot1onelli against the Westerly Auto matic Telephone company, which by agreement of counsel John Ferguson, Jr.. for plaintiff. and Samuel H. Davis for defendant company, are being tried to- gether. ry
 The jury impanelled to hear the case is composed as follows: George W. westlake, foreman; Benjamin B. Bray. IT, Albert K Saunders of North Kings town Roger F. Durham, Joseph J. Down, James Dowd of Westerly; Merton T. Champlin. William A. Perry, David F. Sherman. of South Kingstown George W. Wainwright of Richmond Walter E. Place of Exerter; William D. Greene. of Hopldnton.
 The spare jurors were excused until Thursday morning at 10:s0.
 Attorney Ferxuson stated te tho jury that August Is, 1917. MT. Bottonelli. his wife Anita and daughter Alice, were out in the fields along the Post road. or East avenue picking berries. They went into . lot and Alice seeing a wire across the path, pcl1ed 1t up to throw 1t aside, so that 1t would not obstruct their passage. The girl was thrown to the ground and screamed for help. Her mother rushed to her assistance. picked the child up-and tho mother was also thrown to the ground. The father, who was walking in tho rear rushed to tho assistance of hiS wife and daughter and was thrown back by the electric shock but was not injured as he happened to wear rubber heeled and soled shoes He finally manased to free his wife and daughter from the electrically charged wire. ...s.s-.,s.
 The wIrr was owned by tho Westerly Telephone company. had been permitted 10 sag against the electric light wire. finally parted tine ends falling into the electric wires. becoming charged with electricity and thence lying along the ground. It is claimed that the c1mpany was negligent in not giving proper care and inspection. neglected to give attention to thiS nartcular wire after b had been reported down. aE it was in use by the conr1auy that the pole line at this point was inadequate. and that the poles that once supported this fallen wire were 24s feet apart. instead of the regulated 13o feet that. A supporting pole had been broken of jugt below the crcss arms and had never been replaced. If tn consUany had exHrcised due diligence and proper inspection. the accident would not have happened.
 nr. BottoneIn. next of kia to hiA dzrghte- Alice. brings suit to recover darnages fo- injuries received. She was severely b6-ncd in the hands an leeS. suffered pail WAS prevented from ittend- inr scEooi and was unable to use pen or psr-il for a long period. The other sc- ton is l6 recover for the loss of, service o' Mrs Bottopsl who was so severely burned ths, i wss feared sis would die fr1rs1 Ire effectS Her general physical rsorcifirn has bsen seriouE,y impaired and she was practically helpies5 for several wesNz
 Affe- Nr. Ferguson cUrrnletcd his s1atrsre1t to the jury which he proposed to Sussli i- by testimony. co1rt took re reeS. while the jldge ard jurors, acconp- snied by The attorneys took view of the Scs7e ck the accident.
 T7~e tPz-:raonJ WAS bunF when court r-eSseu-hied. and it is believed vii COR ,nr@ through Wednesday and perhaps Tf-urSyisy r-orninT.
 Ansn-- sae indictments r.tzxnsd by ths grand turJ Of he rnitsd States strict cou-- WIS ore agAincr Js=eph F Mar shall Ar1hu- Anto,Io Marshall and John Frank Si'yia for the alleged ooe-Stiag oi iltci. stss a. AstEnnLcS. Sortn kisrs- iowr- vho vrre nrrcst'd hy Sheriff John F. W1c9z O. Washies1o8 c7IasY. They are a'sj charged with unla sfrEy oas9es- siuz i1iox ca.irg liqpors
 Mfz- Tda s. RarrnEtOn, director of ex-