For the first time in the history of the commonwealth, women sat on the jury of state court as superior court convened in Edgartown Tuesday for a three-day September term. Women were represented on both of the juries impaneled at the session. Women have sat on juries in federal courts in this state, but so far as any state court is concerned, the Vineyard this week made history. Both Judge Vincent Brogna of Newton, who presided, and District Attorney Maurice M. Lyons of New Bedford, made formal recognition of this fact.

According to Judge Brogna, most communities are holding the new statute as to woman jurors in abeyance until their courthouse facilities have been altered to accommodate both sexes. He congratulated the Vineyard on putting the law into effect so quickly.

A short, white-haired, distinguished-looking jurist, Judge Brogna had trouble throughout the session orienting himself to the presence of the women. He constantly addressed the jurors as “gentlemen of the jury,” only occasionally adding, “and, er, ladies.” At one point he explained: “It’s rather difficult, ladies and gentlemen, to remember the ladies, since this is the first time I’ve had to remember them.” Lawyers arguing before him had similar difficulty.

Court was opened at 10 a.m. on Tuesday with prayer by the Rev. John E. Denehy. The grand jury, Henry K. Burgess of Vineyard Haven as foreman, then retired to hear presentments by District Attorney Maurice Lyons.

The initial civil case to be heard resulted from suits brought by Mr. and Mrs. Hervey E. Luce of Vineyard Haven against the town of Tisbury. In separate writs, Mrs. Luce sought compensation for injuries sustained in a fall on Main street a year ago, while her husband’s suit demanded payment from the town for consequential damages thereby incurred on his part.

James A. Boyle, Superior Court clerk, drew the names of twelve jurors, and three women were chosen on the panel. Mrs. Lida R. Fuller of Oak Bluffs, however, was challenged by the plaintiff, leaving Mrs. Hazel B. Childs and Mrs. Mildred H. Randolph, both of Oak Bluffs, to represent the distaff side in a case, which, for their presence, made Vineyard history.

With a striper weighing 39 pounds, 3 1/2 ounces, a big fish that stimulated the eagerness of fishermen everywhere on the Island and added new zest to the striped bass derby, George Manter of West Tisbury went into the top place for the grand prize this week. But the bigger fish were striking on, and how soon the lead would change was a matter of keen interest — some thought the 39-pound top might be bettered shortly.

In the previous week, the top fish was 7 pounds, 7 ounces, but this size had been relatively a little one and the top fish yesterday was 20 pounds, 3 ounces. Benjamin F. Morton, derby secretary, said the fish were generally thin, indicating that they had come a long way, and also that a run of big fish might be at hand for a smashing second half of the derby. Yesterday 22 were weighed in.

It was noteworthy that of yesterday’s winners, four out of five were mainlanders. This is the first time the prizes have gone to off-Islanders in such proportion, and the result was regarded as a good tonic for competition and sportsmanship.

Fish have been taken from all the shores of the Island — Stonewall Beach, Squibnocket, Paul’s Point, Cedar Tree Neck, Wasque, the Lagoon, Stony Point, Cape Pogue Pond and Menemsha. But it is to Menemsha that there has been a great rush recently, and the estimates of the number of anglers there run high.

With George Manter in the lead, his father Daniel Manter, stands in second place. Arthur J. Murphy of Norwell leads the non-residents, with Frederick Whitehead of Madison, N.J., in second place. John Mayhew is at the top for bluefish, and Oscar Flanders for boat fishing. Clayton Hoyle leads the senior class with 69 points. And so the standing is at the moment, and the fishing goes on.

“Did you hear about the forty-eight pound bass?”

This is the query that was put to a customer in the Chilmark Community Market last Friday, immediately after which Donald Downs chimed in, “And it wasn’t entered in the derby.”

Nobody had heard about a big bass of this weight up to that moment, but people began hearing about it, and how the lucky yet unlucky fisherman wasn’t registered in this year’s striped bass derby. Along the unseen tendrils of the grapevine the story spread, losing nothing and maybe gaining a little, until it returned again to the place of origin.

“Did you hear about the forty-eight pound bass?”

This is the query that was put to the men in the Chilmark Community Market late last Friday by an arriving customer who added, “And it wasn’t even entered in the derby.” Why did Morse go to all the trouble of inventing the telegraph? The story of the big bass went all around and got back home again without the need of any mechanical assistance.

Compiled by Hilary Wall
library@mvgazette.com