Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-09-25
sept25d1t1

of the accident he had been a baker
at the State Lunch in Augusta and
that he had worked from $3.50 in
the evening until eight the next
morning. AS was his custom he
went to his home and got his car to
go for ride before going to bed
and had taken two other men with
him. Their names were Binnette
and Doe. They had gone to Water
vile but had three blowouts in all
which had necessitated repairing
one Of the tires and he had had to
walk considerable distance to OBJ
tain blowout patch. When he re-
turned he found that the others had
been drinking. This had happened
in Waterville and one of them had
found some friends there as he had
left to go for the patch. He had
gotten gas at the st. Croix Inn and
had bought some candy there for
his children. He had had trouble
starting the car but it had not been
because of not switching on his ig-
milton but had been something to do
with the starter, a condition which
exists once in a while with the car.
Alleges Blowout Cause of Accident
At the place Of the accident a
blowout on the right front wheel
had thrown him into the telegraph
pole but without serious damage to
the car and no had continued in the
ditch, hoping to pull into the road.
However, a "dished" wheel had made
this impossible and after trying to
jack 1t UP without success he had
called for garage men. He declared
that Frost had asked him to blow
his breath three times and he had
DONG so. after which he had been
placed under arrest. After being
brought to this city Officer Fowler
had called a doctor to examine him.
He said that he had had nothing to
eat from midnight the night before
until after the accident which oc-
Cured shortly after noon. On cross
examination he denied that Mrs.
Wrigley had told him to turn the
switch key.
Augusta Physician Testifies
DR.. G. r. Campbell of Augusta was
then called. He declared that he
had examined the respondent when
he was in Augusta, which it. was
disclosed would be between IL
and three hours Of the time of the
accident and had found him sober.
On cross examination he admitted
that it might be possible for a man
to be drunk and at an examination
three hours later to be sober. This
would depend upon his ability to
handle liquor. and the amount and
quality of the liquor which he had
consumed.
Charles Sleeves, a garage man
who came to get the car after the
accident said that he had seen a
mark in tn road showing where the
tire had gone fiat before the tele-
phone pole was struck. Pratt was
muddy when he got there and had
been trying to jack up the car. Frost
had asked him to blow three times
that he might smell his breath. Re-
turning to the garage with the car,
Pratt had stood on the running
board within eight or ten inches Of
the witness who was driving, and
had talked with him but Sleeves
had not smelled any liquor upon
his breath.
George L. Doe of South Gardiner.
who was also in the car at the time
of the accident testified substantial
ly as had the respondent. He said
that he. had had some liquor to
drink but that while in his presence
HrdlL Hdu Iol Hdu any tAiHS W
drink.
Mrs. Pratt testified that her hus-
band had serious foot trouble
which had bothered him for seven
or eight years. Mr.. Pratt was call
ed upon to walk about the court
room which he did in an unsteady
manner.
A Mr.. Brann from Hallowell call
- nj, witness declared
that he knew the reputation of the
witness for truth, veracity and NOR
al force to be good but upon being
questioned by the county attorney
he admitted that he had never heard
1t discussed.
The case was then argued and
went to the jury. Attorney Arthur
F. Tiffin appeared for the respond
emit