The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-10-04
STATE vs GEORGE LAGRANGE

chance for operating an automobile
while under the influence of fntoxicat-
ing liquor, Mr.. Lachance was without
an attorney. The case arose over
Lachance hitting the bridge at
Smith Pond Peter Vachoh was the
first witness for the state and testi-
field to having ridden with Lacha1ce,
that Lachance took a drink of liquor
at the Vachon home before starting
and took another drink ON the trip.
Mrs. Vachon who was in the party did
not see Lachance take a drink on the
trip. B. A. Daggett of Skowhegan
testified to seeing the Lachhnce car
driven rapidly and going from one side
of the road to the other. Arthur Nc
Mannus who lives near the Smith Pond
Bridge heard the Lachance car when
it hit the bridge and said Lachance
had offered him liquor although he
produced pone. Lachance took the
stand in his own defense and testified
that his car had loose steering gear,
claiming that ii would go on one side
of the road or the other. He said
that he took small drink before he
left; the house, also small drink
when he stopped at the time he turn
ed the car around. He stated that
after the collision with, the bridge he
got intoxicated. In arguing his case
before the jury his principal point
was that he would not take little
children out if he was drinking The
evidence had shown that the baby of
Mr.. and Mrs. Vachon was in the car
when the accident occurred. The
Jury returned a verdict of guilty.
Lachance was also tried on an assault
and battery case and was without
council. He was likewise found gull
ty of this offense.
TUESDAYS PROCEEDINGS
Levi Nuttfng of Hartland retracted
his plea of not guilty and pleaded
guilty to driving motor vehicle I'M
der the influence of liquor. The
sentence of the lower court was affirm
ed with additional costs.
In the case of the State VS. Lewis
Munster, charged with the sale of
intoxicating liquor, Munster retract-
ed his plea of not guilty and pleaded
guilty The sentence of the lower
court was affirmed with additional
costs.
The case of Henry Dorrity of Fair
field for indecent liberties with the
person of Irene Stoves, II years old,
Of Fairfield, was tried during Tues
day forenoon. County Attorney
James H. Thorne, who is handling the
criminal cases for the state in a bust
ness-like and capable manner, in this
case outlined the states side and At
torney Geo, Chapman of Fairfield rep
resented Mr.. Dorrity. e. L. William
son of New Portland was foreman of
the jury The state claimed that the
respondent Dorrity lived near gar
age where Charles Stoves, the father
of Irene was employed. On the goth
day of last July Mr.. Stoves saw his
daughter near the Dorrity house, a
one room dwelling near the garage,
and saw her go into the house with
Mr.. Dorrity. The father claimed that
he followed the child and looking
thru the door into Dorritys' house
saw indecent acts of criminal ma
ture taking place between his daugh-
ter and the man. Mr.. Stoves told
his story substantially as outlined by
the County Attorney. Irene Stoves,
herself took the stand and told of
what she claimed Mr.. Dorrity had
done, saying that she first went to
the house to. see dog and that the
respondent had given her money.
Lawrence Stoves, az brother of the
child's father, testified briefly to his
brothers. leaving him to go to the
Dorrity place to investigate and Mrs.
Stoves told of her daughter making
complaint to her.
The defense was n plain denial of
the crime except that the girl and
her father were at the respondents
house Mr.. Dorrity took the stand
and stated that he was 81 years old
and had lived in Fairfield and vicinity
for "a years. He said that Mr..
Stoves came for his daughter and
that the girl had never been there be-
fore According to Mr.. Dorrity's
testimony the child related an unusual
tale considering conditions in her
home and advanced various ideas
which showed her to be intimately ac-
quainted with topics generally not I'M
derstood by girls of her age. A YER
diet of guilty was returned.
NUISANCE CASE
The nuisance case of Divide We're of
Fairfield was next in order and in
opening County Attorney Thorne told
of Vere's arrest at the place just over
the line between Kennebec and Som
erset Counties at somewhat remote
and vacant farm house. Sher if
Mooers told OF going to the place and
of finding men there who were drink
ing. 1t was claimed that the sales
had been going on at this place for
sometime before the arrest. French
speaking witnesses stated through
Deputy Sheriff Thibodeau that they
had never bought any liquor of We're.
We're was the last witness and is al
legged, according to the defense to be
a scaler, 1t being further alleged that
while he was loafing he was found
at the farm house, already mentioned
and happened to be there because he
was teaching someone to drive an
automobile and they had gone out to
this place. Attorney Rogers of Wat
erville appeared for the respondent.