The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-01-31

|
ance for an automobile, belonging to
Mr.. Getchell which was burned in
the salesroom of the Blaisdell Auto
Co. at Dexter. William A. Sturgis of
Portland the representative of the fire
insurance company was In attendance.
NO TRIALS
The case of the New England Bis
cult Co. VS. L. B. Wheeler of Fairfield
was defaulted and the case of Nath-
anial McQuillan and Fred Pooler VS.
Verne Cunliff and Skowhegan Trust
Co., trustee. was entered neither party
no further action.
VERDICT FOR DEFENDANT
In the case of Sylvia Walker of
Hartland VS. Lewis B. Wheele of
Hartland, deputy sheriff, now of
Fairfield, a verdict was returned for
the defendant, damages being as
sessed in the sum of $1.00. The
case involved the settlement of a
question as to whom an automobile
belonged to, whether to Mrs. Walker
or her husband, John Walker from
whom she has now separated Mrs.
Walker was represented by L. L. Wal
ton of Foxboro, Mass. and Mr.. Wheel
er by Merrill & Merrill. The car
was attached ON September 10, 1922
by Mr.. Wheeler, deputy sheriff.
The case grew out of Mr.. Walker
being arrested for driving the car in.
an Intoxicated condition at which
time, 1t was alleged that he had run
into Mrs. Frank Stafford of Hartland
He was taken before Trial Justice
T. G. Lord In Skowhegan and fined
He had part funds enough with him
to pay the fine, procured enough to
pay the balance from the Pittsfield
National Bank, where he had money
! deposited. Before he could start
home he was again arrested for the
manufacture of liquor and bound over
for the action of the grand jury. His
wife came to Skowhegan and fur
nished bail. The defense claim ed
| that Mrs. Walker fearing an attach
ment of the car suggested that Mr.
Walker put the same in her name,
with the understanding that when
trouble blew over, she was to return
the car back to him. A receipt was
exhibited for $500 which she had re-
ceiyed from her husband. Deputy
Wheeler, who was only the nominal
defender. attached the car. which was
later replevied. Mr.. Wheeler testi-
fed that Mrs. Walker never made any
demand for the car before 1t was re-
plevied. The automobile was later
taken from the deputy sheriff Mr.
Walker testified that he had paid for
the car, himself. and had drawn 800
from the Pittsfield bank TO settle the
fine of $259.00 for the reckless driv-
ing case. He testified that his wife
wanted him to transfer the car to her,
fearing an attachment and he signed
receipt for the same, he said, fur
ther testifying that she was to give 1t
back to him after things were settled.
He claimed to have transferred his
real estate for the same reason. He
had sold the car, he said, got his pay
for 1t and spent 1t. Mrs. Walker,
took the stand in rebuttal and denied
any conversation about putting the
car In her name to avoid attachment
She said that her husband had sworn
at her when she had been on the
street and that she did not dare to
go on the streets alone, fearing that
If he had been drinking, he might
knock her over. The necessary
thing to prove was whether it was
Mrs. Walkers car when it was at
tached by Mrs. Stafford or not. Mrs.
Walker claimed exclusive title to the
vehicle. 1t appeared from the testi-
mony that the automobile was taxed
in Mr.. Walkers name and that it was
also registered in his name.
GOULD VS.. RUSSAKOFF AND BOR-
DEN
The case of Hon. S. W. Gould of
Skowhegan VS.. s. Russakoff and DIR.
A. B. Borden to recover furniture
which Mr.. Gould claimed he never
sold to the defendant was begun Fri
day morning. Mr.. Gould was repre-
sented by f. F. Merrill and attorney
for the defendants was S. N. Shum-
way. Mr.. Gould sold the buildings.
generally considered one, the Hotel
Oxford property. to Dr. A. B. Borden
in November 1921. The hotel proper
was built first and later the adjoining
building. partially destroyed by fire
week before last, the two buildings
being connected only on the third
floor. Mr.. Gould also sold the con-
tents of the building to DIR. Borden
but claimed that he did not sell the
furniture in what he termed his den
or the adjoining suite which was at
that time occupied by Miss Nellie M.
Beane. The deed showed that the
articles of furnishings were excepted
but the main point at issue appeared
to be the Interpretation of the word
den. The wording of the deed
specified with regard to the same the
contents OF den and room occupied
by Nellie Beane" MIR. Gould testi-
fled to the sale OF the building and
that there was no opening between
the two buildings on the first floors
but connected OH the third floor and
used with the hotel property. He
described the location of the den. and
the rooms occupied by Miss Beane.
stating that there was no connection
between the den and her room. He
claimed that the architect In planning
the building had marked the rooms
which he had fitted up for his own
personal use as sthe den. He