The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-02-10

| MUTTON was TO be in order, $500 to be
paid upon execution and $1,000 later.
Mr.. Smith testified that the only
money that he had in his possession
was $1,000 which he had paid to Hin
ton in payment Of $500 each, authoriz-
| ed by Morton. Considerable time
was spent In the matter of the farm
sale and rights of forfeiture where
requirements were not met in an en-
deavor 1t appears to show whether or
not Morton believed Smith had the
money when he wrote Mr.. Lowd that
the necessary funds could be found in
Mr.. Smiths possession to pay the bal
ance due on the car. l.. G. Trafton
associated with Mr.. Smith in the real
estate business, testified along similar
lines and was followed by Fred Hin
ton of Hartland, who had had deal
ings with Morton. He testified that
the farm was sold to the respondent
on June %, 1920 and that after Nor
ton had hauled some pulp wood, he re-
fused to let him hahl more until more
money was received in payment for
the farm. The second payment Of
$500 was accordingly Forthcoming.
Hinton never had given Morton deed
for the property he stated. Mr.. Hin
ton was asked various questions rela-
tive to the pulp wood cutting condi-
tions and he denied that Morton had
paid him SIS in cash for the wood.
The cross examination was conduct
ed by H. ]. Phillips Esq. of Skowhe-
gan and Judge Brazzell associate
counsel for Mr.. Morton opened the
defense. He stated that Morton did
not deny but what the car had been
sold but that it was sold after writ
ten order to Mr. Lowd to go to Mr..
Smith and get his pay for the bal
ance due on the vehicle, but denied
any fraudulanet intent. Mr. Morton
was the only witness for the defense
and occupied the witness stand for
about one hour. He is a we'll groom
ed man of prepossessing appearance
and answered the questions put to
him glibly and in we'll coached Ian
guage. He stated that his home was
in Birmingham. Ala. and that he was
salesman and industrial organizer.
He testified as to his departure from
Somerset county in the Ford truck
in question on September 12; after
leaving the State he wrote to Mr..
Lowd to obtain funds of Clyde H.
Smith and never had received any re-
ply from him; the first time he had
known that the truck was not paid for
was at the time of his arrest. He
stated that he thought Mr.. Smith had
money derived from the Hinton farm
10 hok ha hod
deducted SIS from a bill of personal
claims which he had bought of Mr.
Hinton and afterwards sold back to
him. He understood that there was
coming back to him 500 the first of
October on the farm deal. At the
time he sold the truck he supposed
the indebtedness had been liquidated
by Mr.. Smith. Under cross examin-
alton he stated that he was a bank
organizer and had come north to in
vest in farm lands. He had sold the
truck to NJ G. Roy Of Raleigh, N c.
whom he met travelling and never
had seen beforeM That the car was
being kent in Brunswick because he
had found cheap storage there. The
state recalled Mr. Smith who testified
hat Morton authorized him to pay
over the money to Hinton and later
showed Morton receipts from Hinton.
Miss Hazel Bnrkhardt, stenographer
in the Office of Mr.. Smith remember
ed the receipts for money paid to
Hinton. The arguments were made
by Mr. Phillips for the respondent
and br County Attorney for the State.
The jury was in retirement but a
short time before a verdict was re-
turned Of guilty.
CORO NOT GUILTY
Joseph Coro indicted for larceny OF
a fur coat belonging to Isaac Jeffers
of Madison was placed on trial Mon
day afternoon. Isaac Jeffers was the
first witness. Stated that he went to
his farm land in Starks to have some
lines run and left his coat on cart
body near the vacant Thibeault build
ings; when he returned he found the
coat was missing. Otis G. Moore,
wood cutter near the place, said that
Jos Coro and a Thibeault boy had been
there. The coat was later found at
Toe Coro's. Otis G. Moore OF Anson
who was cutting wood near this place
the day the coat disappeared was the
next witness. In his testimony Mr..
Moore graphically related his meeting
With Coro much to the amusement OF
hose present. Phillip Thibeault, son
If Louis Thibeault, who was with
Coro the day the coat was taken,
estified and George Walker. then a
leputy sheriff, told Of getting the coat
It the Coro house. Mr.. Coro him
,elf testified that he went to the barn
look for some straw. 1t was fur
her claimed that robbers had entered
he buildings and that he (Coro) and
he Thibeault boy had found the coat
, and believing It was left by robbers
| decided that 1t would be wise to take
1t and advertise, thinking that when
the party came to claim the garment
the robber who had made the break
| at the Thibeault farm house could be
ascertained. Mrs. Thibeault, moth
er of the boy who was with Coro when
| the coat was taken, stated that the
robbers had taken gun from the va
cant farm house and that Joe Core
was going to advertise the coat foI
, her. Albert Coro, brother OF Joe
told of the coat being brought home
and of Mrs. Thibeaults visit to the