Connecticut western news., 1920-08-05
CHURCH SHEDS
 RAZED TO GROUND
East Canaan Society Long
 Occupied the Sheds, Destroyed

The usual quiet of the village at East Canaan was disturbed last Thursday afternoon by the crash of falling timbers and the sound of buildings in the center being demol- ished.
 It proved to be the sheds at the Congregational church, which were being torn down by force of men under the direction of James Tier ney, Sr., for many years section foreman for the Central New Eng land railway, with him were his five sons and others who are employed in the section gangs on the railway.
 When the sheds were leveled to the ground the men proceeded to the Triangle Park, which was To- cated near the church, and last fall dedicated to the memory of the world war veterans, and with their shovels scooped up the earth from one side and threw it into the high way. >a r..sa ... ..- ..'
 The demolition of the church sheds and disagreement of the park followed a dispute of several months standing concerning the ownership of land where the sheds stood and part of the memorial park, James Tierney has disputed the claim to ownership of the church society and the town in the respective pieces of realty. ...
 At a meeting of the church off, cials held during the evening, much indignation was expressed at the act, and it was decided to insti- ute legal proceedings at once.
 The next afternoon Sheriff Horn beck arrested the accused men and they were brought before Justice Ford Friday evening; in order that MT. Tierney might avail himself of counsel, the case was adjourned until 9 o'clock Monday morning, at which time a lawyer from the office of Benedict M. Holden in Hartford ap- peared for MT. Tierney and those associated with him.
 The town hall was filled with those interested in both sides of the case. George K. Goodwin, Homer c, Allyn, Edward s. Roberts, Mrs. Charles Curtis, Rev. Robert Fletcher and James Casey were called as witnesses for the Church, testifying to the ownership of the sheds, both by the Society and individuals, and the use to which they had been put, also to the noise made by the de- molition of the sheds and those who participated in the affair.
 MT. Tierney testified that he claimed to own land on which the sheds stood, and also where the Me morial park had been laid out, that he had lived there since 1874 and always used the sheds as he wished, but had allowed their use by those attending the church. He said he had contemplated removing the sheds for some time, and in do- ing as he did he was following the advice of counsel. That the digging on the park was only to move a shoulder on the north side, to inn prove the layout, and that he intend ed to do further digging there.
 Justice Ford found all the parties guilty as charged, of breach of the peace and wilful and unlawful des- truction of public and private prop erty; and decided that the offense was of more aggravated nature than would come under his jurisdic- tion, therefore he bound the eleven men over to the October term of the Superior Court, under $500 bonds each.
 E. A. Pequigney of Sharon fur nished bonds to the amount of $5500. and William Torrant of Canaan was appointed guardian, ad item over Edward Torrant, 8 minor, one of the party.