Inhabitants of Bangor v. Inhabitants of Brunswick
Inhabitants of Bangor v. Inhabitants of Brunswick
Opinion of the Court
The opinion of the Court was drawn up by
It is insisted by the defendants, that the verdict against them in this action for the recovery of the value of supplies, furnished by the plaintiffs to one William S. Jones, who was alleged to have his legal settlement in the town of
The intentions of Jones, which he expressed to Foster were also previous to the time, when he left and were not a part of the res gestae. When the witness speaks of his going away, “ in pursuance of this arrangement,” we do not understand, that any thing was said manifesting any intention of returning
It may perhaps have been reasonably inferred, that the declarations of Jones made to Vinton, were at the time, that he was leaving Bangor in the steamboat for Boston, if there were nothing in explanation, beyond what appears in the report., of the testimony in the trial of the first action. But in his subsequent examination he testified, that “ not long before he went away, a week or three or four days, he said there was a theatrical company here, that went away about that time, and he said they promised him employment in Boston, in tending the drop scene ; and if he did not get that chance, he should go west, where his brother was, and said he should not come back again.” It did not appear that he had more than one conversation with Jones on the subject of his leaving Bangor. This was not at the time when he was leaving and could have at most only a remote bearing upon the question at issue.
Opposed to this evidence is the express testimony of the pauper himself, who best knew his motives, that he did not leave Bangor with the intention of not returning, but for the purpose of getting work; and if he was not successful in that, it was his design to return ; that he never abandoned his residence in Bangor, or left it, to go away elsewhere to reside. It appeared also that his name was upon the list of voters of Bangor at the annual meeting in September, 1837; he voted there, and his name was checked on the list. At the last trial, it appeared that the pauper’s name was added to the list in 1837, after it was made out, and that it must have been inserted upon examination.
From the whole evidence before us, we are satisfied, that the facts of the case were not fully understood at the trial, and that they should be submitted to another jury.
New trial granted.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- The Inhabitants of Bangor versus The Inhabitants of Brunswick
- Status
- Published