Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-03-11

Continuous service for nearly %
years as clerk Of courts for Kennebec
county is the record chalked up by
Charles w. Jones, who is now serv-
ing in that capacity. In that period
Mr.. Jones has cared for the records
OF both the supreme and superior
courts and has acted in his official
capacity at coutlness trials. so many
In fact that he has little idea as to
their approximate number.
The two most historic cases. which
have come to TRAIL during his term
OF service are the Matte Hackett
case and the Cooper case, both of
them murder trials. The Cooper
case was the longest, covering a peri
cd of 3S days of court from March 6
to April 21. This was heard at the
March, 1906, term of the supreme
court and Thomas Leigh of this city
appeared as county attorney and
Hannibal Hamlin as attorney gener-
al. Attorneys Herbert w. Heath and
Arson Goddard appeared for the de-
PENDANT.
The Matte Hackett case which
excited much interest took place a
number of years later and several
years after the commission of the
crime. Joseph Williamson appeared
as county attorney and w. r. Pat
tangall as attorney general, while D.
j. McGillicudy represented the res
pendent. Mr.. Jones declared that in
this case. 1--WE had two pretty fine
arguments"
Recalls Court Room Huror
n
Jones has seen and heard many fun
ny incidents which have occurred to
tighten the routine of court work.
Two, which he had laughed at par
tfcularly and which made an i'm
preston upon his mind, he related on
Wednesday.
The first happened several years
ago when Judge Artemas Libby was
on the bench. AS Mr.. Jones said.
Judge Libby was a gruff and at
times almost grabbed fellow. Ed.
Norton was sheriff at that time and
court was held on a winter day when
the wind was blowing hard and it
was very cold. In the back of the
courtroom window was open. Sud-
denly Judge Libby Strengthened UP
and said. Mr.. Sheriff, shut that
window back there and let some of
this wind blow around the corner of
the building This, of course brought
a great laugh"
The other story deals with the late
Judge Whitehouse. Judge Whitehouse
was presiding one day when John
Burleigh of Waterville, who was
known to the judge, was called to the
witness stand. Judge Whitehouse
turned to the witness with a smile
and said, Estate your name, occu-
patton, residence and height" With
out bit of hesitation Burleigh. who
is very tall man replied my name
is John H. Burleigh, am civil en-
gineer with residence in Waterville
and 1 am five feet and Is inches
tall"
Five chief justices have presided
over the Supreme Judicial court In
the 20 years of Mr.. Zones service
The first was Andrew P. Wiswell OF
Lucillius A. Emery of >Ellsworth,
then by William Penn Whitehouse,
then Leslie C. Cornish. and now Scott
Wilson. In the same time there have
been three justices of the Supreme
court of Kennebec County. Judge
Hall, judge Fred Emery Beane and
Judge William H. Fisher. or the
members of the Supreme Judicial
court who were on the bench at the
time Mr.. Jones first took once
there is but one now living. He is
Justice Albert M. Spear. now on the
active retired list.
Notes Decrease In Liquor Fines
noticeable fact is the decrease in
liquor fines since 1.-THE old DAYS. me
court records of the year before Mr..
Jones took office show that over
s43. 900 were collected as liquor mes
whereas today they are much less.
Those were the DAYS when the LIQUOR
sellers were BROUGHT in about every
co often, and had the fine all ready
to nav so that they could gel PACK
to tend to their business. In THIS way
a considera BILE revenue was receiNeo
each year by the county.
Mr.. Jones was born In tne no"ee
in Vassalhoro now ocouniHo nv ~
T Huseov. on March Is. 1S6Z. AS re
said. 1.-THE Doctor later told me ~
was in the darrdest snow storm ne
ever saw" Mr. Jones was edr"ateo =,
Kent's Hill Seminary. WaterH,I,e
classical and Oak Grove -.
Tn 1887 and 1898 he sfud'ed Jaw m
tho of,oe of & e. L. T't"on1h. WIZ
tornev Samuel ,I'itcomh Of this CITY.
' at the October term. 1883, Mr.. Jones
go. admitted to the Kennehec par.
He then opened offices h in w ts's e,e ety
"a ~ the nosition of Clerk OF .'ou,.s'
tol,;no office August $. 19oa. MI
tones has served on the Ausus.@
board Of assessors for e,sht W xes he.
giving up that position when ne De,
earnae clerk He had also served as
c chair Of the board of prison in -
snertors for four years from 1883 70
1898. -
Mr.. Jones is well known not only
.hro,,ob his office but through ms
c cn with the Masonic fratern-
ity. AS member of the re. sc eranH
Rite bodies and as past grand
oon,noander of the Grand Command
erv Of Maine. he has attended many
QUEEN VICTORIA AND LYDIA Z.