New Britain herald., 1929-05-13
BUYER AND SELLER WRANGLE IN COURT
Liquor Case Against Se1icola
 Produces Conflicting Stories C0MPOUNCE THREATENED
Forest Fire on Mountain Alarms Proprictor>-Three Cars Collide Driver Hits Pole aud fices-IaA Office Open 1onight-NOtes.


 X continuance of one week was or dered this morning by Judge Joseph NJ. Donovan in the case of Frank Sericola of 3S Prospect street charged with reputation of selling liquor. A charge of sale was nollec at the recommendation of Prescott ting Attorney Anthony J. Rich.
 The testimony this morning 1T court was mostly contradictory and Judge Donovan, in ordering the con. tinuance, stated that on the charge of reputation it would be necessar, to present some very strong testi' mony."
 Sergeant Henry Jeglinski testified that on Saturday evening he arrested Herbert J. Weilspeak of 90 Meadow street after he had seen the mar leave Sericola's block with a pack age. which later proved to be pint of liquor. He also informed tn. court that Weilspeak, when arrested asked why the officers were picking on him and why didn't they sci Frank Sericola. The testimony 0 Officer William Thompson. who wa: with the sergeant at the time. wa similar to that of his superior off cer.
 Supernumerary Officer Purdingtol testified that after the two men hat been placed in separate cells, he sta toned himself nearby and hear' Sericola call out to Wellspeak, "Hey Bozo, what is the idea of telling thu cops you bought the liquor off me. Burlington also testified that Scri cola met him in the lobby at polic' headquarters this morning and ask ed him if he was going to testify When he replied that he was. Seri cola replied, ''If you do. l will mak' a fool of you" according to Pur rnston. Policeman Con Cornell. Edgar Norton also testified that the! had received complaints that liquo was being sold by Sericola. Wcllspeak, when placed on tn, stand, denied that he had bought th' liquor and also denied having an! | conversations with Sericola in tn police cells, as intimated by Pur rington. He also denied that he hat told Jeglinski and Thompson that h. had purchased the liquor from Seri cola. as the officers testified. Attorney Noble E. Pierce, wh' represented Sericola. asked that hi client be discharged for lack of evi dence. The charge of reputation, h pointed out, Was rather remote. H also charged that Jeglinski an Thompson testified the same i every liquor case.
 Judge Donovan. in ordering tn continuance, stated that the storic told by Sericola and Wellspea sounded fishy and that the latter while testifying. was unable to loo anyone in the eye. Sericola's bond which was set at $l.50o, followin his arrest Saturday night. was re duced to $75o by the court. Several Forest Fires Several forest fires Saturday eve ming and Sunday kept the fire war dens and a large gang of men bus over the weekend. Late SaturGa afternoon, a fire, believed to hay been set by a cigarette carelessl thrown away, burned over tn mountain just west Of the Lax 1 Compounce resort and for tim buildings at the amusement plac were threatened by the spark blown from the mountain side by high wind. Squad A responded t the summons from the proprietor of Compounce and firemen remaine at the scene until the threatenin danger had passed.
 A little after midnight Saturda i Squad A was called out to extin guish brush fire in the rear c the Bristol hospital. Chemicals wer used and the blaze put out.
 At 1O:10 o'clock yesterday morn ing Squad A and Engine Co. No. were called to Richmond placa fo fire in a chicken coop. A numbe of bundles of shingles stored in tn building were destroyed. The los was estimated by fire departmer officials at $.00.
 At 1O:15 a. m. yesterday. Engin companies Nos. 1 and 5 were calle out for a brush fire on Blakesle etrant which fnr o firDa fhrnafeno to destroy several 41earby building The blaze was exiting wit chemicals.
 Cars Collide
 Automobiles operated by Willia1 Alder of cSc Main street, Franc Kelley of 116 Silver street. Water bury. and John Callair of Il Sout Elm street figured in a three-co' nered collision m proad stree