Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-09-22

The case was before the court on an
indictment.
Deputy Sheriff Arthur G. Robinson
of Gardiner testified that sometime
since the first of May in company
with Deputies McCausland Gross and
button he searched the house OF the
respondent at the corner OF MIL
street and Mt. Vernon avenue in Au-
gusta They got there four barrels
with a strong odor, also wash ooiier
and hops. One or two nights previous
Deputy Sheriffs Dutton and Robinson
had been searching not far from that
house and when the wind was right
they could get the smell of home brew
Cross-examined by Mayor Martin,
witness ties tified that the barrels they
seized were empty. The deputies had
not found any home brew there. and
did not see any liquor used or sold
on the premises.
Deputy Sheriff L. T. Dutton of Au-
gusta gave testimony which corrobor-
ated that of Deputy Robinson. Cross
examined by Attorney Martin. wit
ness testified that the wash boiler was
a little out Of the usual for doing
ordinary washings. He testified that
there were other houses in that local
ity that the officers had searched. and
that at that house he saw no drunken
men or any signs Of intoxication.
Deputy Sheriff Fred K. Gross of
Augusta also testified as to the
search and the seizure Of the barrels
at the place. The deputies had found
a brass pipe under the bureau in one
of the bedrooms. The officers had had
complaints concerning the place.
Cross-examined. he said he could not
tell the percentage of alcohol by the
odor.
Defense
The defense in the action as outlined
by Attorney Martin contended that
there had never been any making or
selling of liquor of any kind at the
LaPierre place, that there were no in
toXicating liquors of any description
there, and that none had been de-
stroyed at that place.
Six witnesses were sworn in in de-
Tense.
The respondent. Peter La Pierre
testified that he has lived in Augusta
two years and he told of the places
where he had been employed. He
plans 10 work in the woods this win
ter. He said that he was at home
when the deputy sheriffs searched
the place. He had bought the wash
boiler from a boy named Gilbert
about a week before the search, and
his wife used the boiler for the wash
ings. He testified that the barrels
and the pals We're in the house when
he moved there, and he said that he
never made any home brew, never
sold any liquor, and never was ares
ted for selling liquor. He said that
he had never had any liquor in the
barrels and had never used the wash
boiler for cooking purposes. The
copper pipe, he said that the children
had brought into his house.
Nose Gilbert of Mt. Vernon ave-
nue. testified that he had got the
washboiler from the dump and had
sold it to Mr.. La Pierre for 50 cents.
Mrs. La Pierre, wife of the re-
spondent. testified that she used the
boiler to heat water in and ssome-
times used the cover upside down,
and that one of the little children
had found the copper pipe. The bar
relS in the shed were there when they
moved there. She testified that her
husband never made any home brew.
Poulin Guinard of Mt Vernon ave-
nue. testified that he lives very near
the La Pierre house and had never
seen any liquor made, used or sold
there and had never heard ANY dis
turbances there. He said that if La
Pierre was making liquor there he
would be apt to know it.
Fred Gilbert testified that he lives
the next house to La Pierre never
saw signs of liquor there, and never
saw any men hanging around the
place.
Fred Bonsant of Augusta, also a
neighbor of La Pierre, testified he
never saw men who had been drink
ing come out of his house. and never
saw any signs of liquor there. Cross
examined. witness said he had never
been in the La Pierre house.
Attorney Martin argued for the de-
Tense. County Attorney Sanborn ar
gued for the State, and Judge Beane
gave the charge to the jury.
The jury returned a verdict of gull
ty after celebrating upon the case
for about an ho4r. Judge Beane de-
ferred sentence fin the matter until
later in the terrh Respondent Pr
nished bonds in the sum of $1,000 for
his appearance N court.
The trial of criminal cases will be
continued today. next in order being
that of State VS.. Charles Levene ct