Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-10-05

cident. Twelve witnesses were called
and sworn and were w. S. Robson.
formerly of Boston, now of Cara
funk; Ralph Sterling, proprietor of
the Sterling Hotel at Caratunk; Mrs.
Eona Sterling, wife of Ralph Sterl-
ing, wife of Ralph Sterling: Miss
Mildred Sterling, daughter of the
hotel proprietor. aged 16 years; Miss
Emogene Sterling of Augusta; Miss
Mary Redmond of Bingham, who
was visiting at the hotel on the date
of the accident, the 10Th of Augusta,
1913; Miss Hazel Smith, who was at
the hotel; Miss Hildred Moore; John
Mckay. Andrew Comber, and the
last witness, Albert Clark, a mer-
chant at Caratunk, whose home is
near the scene of the accident.
Mr.. Robson in his testimony
stated that he had been passing
much time each year at Caratunk
for some years and that after the
other members of his family went
back to their homes he stopped at
the Sterling house and was we'll ac-
quainted with them and felt much
at home at the hotel and that on
this night of the accident he had
dinner at the hotel and afterward
was in the kitchen a part of the
time and that afterward talking
with some people from Texas, who
were guests, and that MIDI Moore
asked him if he would take the
girls to the ice cream parlor to get
some ice cream, to which he re-
piled that he would and that the
start was delayed because OF the
arrival Of other guests who wanted
dinner. Mr.. Robson related that
he drove five girls. two on the front
seat with him and three on the back
seat, to the ice cream parlor and
found that it was dark and closed
SO their returned and as they were
coming back the lights on his car
which had once before gone out,
went out and that the lights on
Ford sedan were so bright that they
blinded him and that his car hit the
Ford car with a Slight bump, and
that some time after the contact the
lights came on. Mr.. Robson stated
that when Walker, the owner of the
Ford car. called him out at the ho-
tel that he told Walker that he was
willing to pay for all damage which
he had done and after some talk
with Walker he called Mr.. Sterling
out and wanted him to hear the talk
with Walker and wanted Mr.. Sterl-
ing to look the Walker car over and
as Sterling was about to do So
Walker drove away.
Mr.. Robson said that Mr. Walker
said something about his license be-
ing taken away from him. Mr.. Robe
son stated that he was not under the
influence of liquor nor drugs at the
| time of the accident. On cross ex-
animation Mr. Robson admitted to
having taken two drinks that after
noon before supper of small amount.
Mr.. and Mrs. Sterling. Miss Mil
drcd Sterling. Miss E,moGene Sterl-
ing. Miss Mary Redmond, Miss
Smith and Miss Moore all in testi-
mony said that they did not notice
anything at all unusual about the
actions or talk of Mr.. Robson and
| did not smell any alcohol on his
| breath and that they were all near
him and talked with him. The Misses
| Sterling who We're on the front seat
with Mr.. Robson at the time of the
accident stated that Mr.. Robson did
| not turn the lights either off or on
and all Of the girls in the car stated
that they did not notice that the
/ car went from one side of the road
to the other. John Mckay who said
he had known the respondent for
four years, said that he was on the
piazza and talked with Mr.. Robson
and that he never noticed anything
unusual with Mr.. Robson and did
not smell his breath. He said he
! heard some of the talk between
I Robson and some man. Andrew
! Combre of Caratunk said that he
got acquainted with Robson this
summer and he saw the car ard it
did not sway, that the lights from
the Ford car were very bright. All
of the witnesses said the lights left
on the Ford car were very bright.
/ He said he dad not sec Robson stop.
ana thought the lights came onto
! the Robson car about q hundred
yards after the cars hit On cross
/ examination he stated that he told
Walker where Robson was and
that he also told Walker that he had
heard that Mr. Robson had had an
accident on the Pond road. Mr..
Clark was the last witness called. He
is a Caratunk merchant and lived
nearby. He was on the piazza and
heard the cars hit and that the lights
on the Ford were very bright. He
did not go to the scene of the acct
dent. Mr.. Small recalled Mr.. Robe
son and asked him if he had ever
had an accident on the Pond road 20
which he said he never had.
Mr.. Robson is a man 70 years of
age. The testimony of the defense
was closed at a little before noon
and the arguments began.
The jury was out an hour and n
half on the case of State vs.. ". :.
Roheson and reported a verdict Of
guilty The judge placed the bail for
appearance from day TO day for SEN
tence at $1,000. Bail was furnished.
Ralph Sterling Of Caratunk and
. trl,g ,,Iac IF SlSOJybpU9n he
ing the bonsdmen.
Andrew 10th charged with nom
support of his wife and child report
ed and furnished bail in the sum OF
5000 for his appearance from term
to term.