Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-04-26

tIlG DSSI VI lIleUu3 anu llldl IO llou
BILE whatsoever arouse during the
second witness. His testimony was
similar to that of Huff's in the details
of the evenings doinGs. After Whit
ney's testimony Judge Dunn declared
j recess.
Beside Floyd Huff and Doris
Whitney, who were members of the
party riding in Sleeves automobile,
the following witnesses testified.
George Hubbard, who resided where
the car stopped, who saw the men
picking up the injured man and
taking him in the car, Doctor Ray
G. Brown. who attended Morse the
night of the accident, Lee Elkins,
who passed the night with Morse.
Sheriff A. Mooers of Skowhegan and
Deputy Sheriff Gustav A. Kimball
of Pittsfeld. During Mr.. N1ooers'
testimony the jury was dismissed
and Mr.. Mooers told of his CONVEX
sation with the respondent. soon
after the accident After Mr.. Mooers'
testimony the noon was taken. Mr..
Mooers was recalled at the opening
of the afternoon session and stated
that he heard County Attorney
Thorne tell the respondent that he
did not have to make any statement
concerning the accident but if he
did it could be used against him.
Mr.. Mooers stated that he said to
the respondent, IF YOU had not
been driving so fast. and had not
been drinking. the accident would
not have occurred would it ?" to
which the respondent replied, ut
would not"
Attorney Chapman in cross-exam-
ination asked Mr.. Mooers if he ask
ed Sleeves about the quantity OF
liquor the four men drank. to which
Mooers replied that he did. which
closed the states evidence. after
which Attorney Chapman made a
motion that the judge direct the
Jury to bring in verdict of Not
Guilty on the grounds that the
state had failed to prove intoXica-
ton and criminal negligence. both
or which were necessary to convict
the respondent OF the alleged crime
County Attorney Thorne contested
the motion made by Mr.. Chapman
and stated that the State had proven
that the respondent had been drink
ing if it had not proven that he was
intoxicated and that it had proven
that he was not duly careful for the
welfare of those in the car with him
and that the accident which caused
Morse's death was due to careless
ness on the part of the respondent
Judge Dunn then asked the County
Attorney if Morse were alive would
he he able to maintain civil action
against the respondent. Judge
Dunn further stated that it seemed
10 nm that it was a joint enterprise
entered into by an four of the Young
men. who, when the accident occur
red. We're making an attempt to get
more liquor. County Attorney said
mat ne wished some time to con-
slider the matter. which was granted
nm. County Attorney Thorne and
me Judge retired and after some
time they returned and the County
Attorney said that in his Judgment
Morse, If he were alive could not
recover in a civil action against the
respondent and that the State had
failed to prove the charge alleged
against the respondent and that he
would sustain the motion made by
Attorney Chapman. Judge Dunn
then ordered the jury to present a
verdict of Not Guilty. which they
did. Upon motion of Mr.. Chapman,
Judge Dunn discharged the prisoner
at the bar.
Hear Britton Case
The case of Louis C. Britton VS..
Bertha Cole Britton in which Mr..
BrittOn sued for divorce on two
charges, one cruel and abusive treat =
ment and the extreme cruelty, was
heard Wednesday afternoon and is
now under consideration of Judge
Dunn who says he will consider it
and file his decree later. This case
has caused widespread interest, not
only i'll her own town but throughout
the State and Massachusetts, because
or the unger strike conducted by
Mrs. Britton for many days last win
ter. Until a few hours of the time
the case was heard it was expected
that it would be holly contested. Mr..
Brittons attorney was w. Folsom
Merrill of Merrill and Merrill of
Skowhegan and Mrs. Britton was
represented by Judge Benedict Ma
her of Augusta. The witnesses for
Mr. BrittOn were Mr.. Britton himself,
Isaiah CrOwell of whom Mr.. Britton
bought the farm where they have re-
sided and Mr.. and Mrs. Roy Warren
near neishbors of Mr.. and Mrs. Brit
ton. Mr.. Britton Ilated that they
were married in Kansas City. July 8.
1918 and following their marriage
they went to Nebraska and Colorado
Springs passing about three months
in the west, after which they came
to Boston to visit her brother, Will
liam Cole. In the spring of 1919 they
came to Skowhegan and purchased
the Webb farm, on the river road, of
Isaiah Crowell. which was most at
tractive farm home and became fam
Gus as the scene of the hunger strike.
Mr.. BrittOn said that they had never
lived happily together and that she
had very unpleasant disposition.
that he had endeavored in every way
to be kind to her and to assist her
with the work, doing the washing,
sweeping and busting. hopping the
floors and Of course bringing in the
wood and water. which he expected
to do. He said that one time he had
left an unfinished washing to assist
a neighbOr and she was so angry that
she turned the clothes all out on the
ground in the dirt. At Christmas
time, 1921 he came to town and for
got to go to the express Office to get
five pound box of chocolates which
her brother had sent her and he
walked back three miles and half to
get them only to find the express
office locked up. When he got back
home he found he was locked out and
When he finally did get into the house
she refused to get supper for him.
When he would not do as she wanted
him to she would threaten to cut the
tires off the auto. She often showed
her muscle to people and asked them
If they didn't think she could make
Louis do as she wanted him to. He
said that she il a strong. robust