Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-09-21
Judge Dismisses
Case in Assault
And Battery Charge

The police court was filled with
workmen from the Brunswick road
Monday morning, many of them be-
ing witnesses in an assault and bat
terry case which took place at the
rock-crusher Saturday. John Peters,
one of the truck drivers, having taken
out q warrant against the foreman,
Howard Williams. Mr.. Peters testified
that on Saturday morning he had
asked Mr.. Williams for time off in or
der that he might attend to some busi-
ness matters in Augusta, but Mr..
Williams had refused to let him go,
and after thinking over the matter
Peters followed Williams over to the
rock-crusher and informed him that
he was all through. This resignation
was readily accepted and Hr. Will
liams ordered Peters off the grounds.
Peters said that he turned to 60 when
Williams kicked him and pushed him
and this method was repeated four
times before Peters left. Mr. Peters
stated that this took place near the
crusher upon which many men were
working in plain sight but that they
would be unable to- hear any of the
conversation on account of the noise
Of the crusher. Frank Weeks of Lib
erty street was the next witness
called and he stated that he saw moth
ing and knew nothing of the trouble
| until Monday morning. William Law
renee said that he saw Williams push
Feters several times and saw him
kick at him but did not know whether
| the foot struck Peters or not. He said
that there was quite lot Of talk be-
tween the two and Peters appeared
| very balky. Three other witnesses saw
Williams push Peters but did not see
any kicking take place. Mr.. Williams
| then took the stand and said that Pc
| tiers asked him il he could have time
! off to 60 to Augusta to get license
! for a motorcycle and that he had re-
| fused to grant the request OH the
| grounds that the State was paving SO
day rental for the truck and he did
not feel that he could take it off from
the work. He then went to the crush
| err where he was followed by Peters
| who rendered his resignation and in
| formed him that he was the meanest
man that he ever worked for Mr.
| Williams accepted the resignation and
| informed him that he was not work
| ing for him then and ordered him off
! the grounds. After waiting a while
without results Williams began TO
push him and finally pushed him of
| the GROUNDS. SANFORD Williams, the
sub-foreman, and Merrill Fogs. were
| botif>>at the crusher at the time and
| saw Williams push Peters but not
with force enough to do any damage.
| Charles Davis. an inspector Of motor
| equipment, testified that he had known
Mr.. Williams since 1918 and that he
| knew him to be quiet and peaceable
| man and never knew Of him being in
any kind Of trouble before. John
Church, an inspector Of work. also
| testified as to Mr.. Williams manner
| in handling his help and said that he
| knew Of no previous trouble. Hon. E.
! L. Goodspeed, counsel for Mr.. Will
! lians, then brought to the courts at
tention the fact that Mr.. Williams
was acting within his legal rights as
| there is ruling that none but en-
| ployees shall be allowed within so
| feet of the crusher. And as Mr.. Peters
| had resigned, that he was no longer an
| employee and had no right there. Mr..
| Goodspeed felt that Mr.. Williams had
, done Just right as he first ordered
| Peters from the premises and when
! he did not go had held his temper and
| had gently pushed him from the prop
A.! erty. The judge dismissed the case.