Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 June 1893 — The Big Slander Suit! [ARTICLE]

The Big Slander Suit!

The PlatotiflFs. Character Damaged One Cent’s Worth. The slamler suit of Margaret Gray vs. John W. Sage, both of Jordan tp. was held in the court nous- last Friday and Saturday. The plaintiff wanted $5,000 damages from the defendant for his having repeatedly stated that, on or about April 10, 1802, he had gone into the loom house of Mr. Huffman Keene, and there found Keene and the plaintiff, Keen’s wife’s sister, in a very compromising position. The case was tried by the following jurors: Byron Sayler, J-' LNichols, C. C. Sigler, G. K. Hollingsworth, Oscar Abbett, David' Alter, Edward Parkisoa, Jasper Kenton, Everett Finney, Fred Hasselbring, Chas. A. Roberts and Lars Gilbranson. S.. P. Thompson and Frank Foltz were attorneys for the plaintiff, and John T. Brown, M. F. Chilcote and R.. W. Marshall for the defendant. Sage swore positively that he bad told only what he had seen. The plaintiff and co-respondent Keene, swore as positively that “it was no such a thing.” That when Sage came into the loom house on that occasion the plaintiff was weaving away at her loom and that Keene was cleaning or mending a gun. Margaret Gray, the plaintiff, is 52 years old. Has lived with Keene 40 years. She was never married but has a son 21 years old who lives with Keen.

Elizabeth Keen, wife of Hufman Keen, swore that Keen and plaintiff never went to a room to smoke. Wm. Wortley, George Johnson and Ernest Medworth all testified to having heard Sage describe what he claimed to have seen in the loom bouse. His story being the same in all cases. Lewis Spaulding, son-in-law of Mr. Keen, testified to conversation with Sage, in which the story told by the latter differed quite materially from the way the three last named claimed that Sage told them. The plaintiff testified that the fath : er of her boy was named Booker; and that he promised marriage. Sage the defendant, testified as to the conversation with Spaulding and Keen, it being essentially the same story as that told by Wortley, Johnson and Medworth.

Mr. Gushwa testified to having heard many ugly rumors about plaintiff and Keen for many years. Sidney L. Standish who lived near Keen some years, swore his general reputation was poor. Plaintiff’s reputation for morality was N. G. Rumors have existed ever since he knew them. Never beard Sage say anything about them. About time her child was born was the first heard of the rumors.

Geo. Spaulding, brother of Lewis; lives miles from Keen. Known him 19 years. His reputation for truth is bad. Plaintiff’s for morality not good. It was bad prior to April 1892. The bad rumors were in circulation when he came into the county. Never heard anything said on the “other side. ” Wm. Was hburn, of Rensselaer. Used to live about 2 miles from Keen’s. His rep. for truth and Miss Gray’s for morality, both bad. Thinks he heard more abont her bad rep. before Sage’s story started then since.

John Hudson, of Carpenter tp. Keen’d rep. for truth bad. Ditto plaintiff's for morality, as relating to her and Keen. Sage had told him his loom house story. Frank Eck, Carpenter tp. Has known Keen and Mias Gray ever since he was old enough to know any one. Heard Spalding admit that Sage’s story was told to him (Spalding) the same way as to Eek. Keen’s rep. bad. Miss Gray’s bad for years, Wm. Gushwa, Jordan tp. Acquainted with Keen and plaintiff long time. His rep. for veracity bad, very bad. net’s for morklity bad and getting no better. Was bad prior to April, 1§92. Heard talk for 20 years. Heard it before her son

was born. .Hop's brother Nate talked about then*. Jesse Dewees: Used to live in Jordan. Known Keen 25 or 30 years. His rep. for truth is bad. Same bePs for chasity and morality. Heard Mr. Sage talk about her. Henry Weleb, Jordan tp. Keen’s rep. for truth is bad. John W. Sapp, president of Goodland town board. Used to live 2 miles from Keen’s. Both reps. bad. It was the neighborhood talk that Keen used plaintiff about as he did his wife. Elliot R. Burr, Jordan tp. Known Keen 20 years. Rep. bad. 0 also plaintiff’s for morality and chastity. It is very generally believed that improper relations exist between the parties. This general belief is based on their actions and conduct, not on Sage’s story.

Mary Farmer, Jordan tp. Has heard general rumor of Keen and Gray’s bad Rumors existed prior to April, 1892. Is sister of defendant’s wife. Ma ry J. Ftnwick, mother of defendant. Known plaintiff and Keen long time. General rumors that their relations are bad, have existed longtime. Miss Gray has worked for her. John W. Pool, of Benton Co., was asked a very pointed question as to his relations with plaintiff. Question ruled out. John Putts, Newton Co., Keen’s rep. bad. E. R. Burr thinks Lewis Spaulding’s rep. for truth is not bad. Wm. Nolan, of Goodland, thinks the other way. So also F. R. Burr, of Newton Co.

REBUTTAL. Dr. B. W. Pratt, of Goodland. Keen’s rep. for truth is good. Never heard them talked about. John Cook, Goodland, is not acquainted with Keen’s rep., in neighborhood where he lives. R. F. Jacobs, of Goodland; don’t know. S. E. Yeoman, of Rensselaer, thinks Keen’s rep. for truth is good. Fred Gilman, of Goodland, also didn’t know Keen’s rep. Daniel Michaels. Have worked at Keen’s 5 months. His rep. is good. Heard Fred Foresman say that his father said, that Keen would not tell a lie. Jasper Clinger; Spaulding’s rep. good. Thinks Keen’s rep. good. Never heard anything against him. Never heard it was good either. John Bill. Known Keen 10 or 11 months. His rep. is good. Of course the neighbors say it is bad, but he thinks it is good. John Roadifer and several others thought Lewis Spaulding’s reputation good.

Susanah Wortly, lives across the road from Keen. His rep. for truth is good* Have heard things “hinted around” for 5 years. Her daughter married Keen’s son. It was “hinted around - ’ that Miss Gray’s boy was Keen’s son. Nathan J. Keen, son of Huffman Keen. Never heard anything until trial came up. Don’t remember the alleged Booker. Told Albert Keen that a man could think a good deal bnt bad better keep still. Lewis Spaulding: Keen’s rep. good nntil trial came up. Elizabeth Been, wife of Huffman Keen. Had heard it “hinted around ” that her husband was father of Miss Gray’s child. Her sister refused to tell her who its father was.

Fred Hamlin, 1£ miles from Keen. His rep. good. T. J. McCoy, of Rensselaer,thinks Keen’s rep. good. The cage was given to the jury about 5 P. M. Saturday. Sunday, at 8:30 A. M., they reached a verdict. It was in favor of the plaintiff, and gave her damages of one cent This verdict throws the costs, several hundred dollars in amount upon the defendant, Sage. The jury is understood to have stood three for the plaintiff and nine for the defendant, bnt finally compromised on the nominal verdict of one cent The three jar-' on who favored tbe plaintiff are said said to have been Messrs. Hollingsworth, Sigler and Nichols.

The defence bad about three dozen, witnesses summoned to testify on the question of plaintiff's and Keen's reputations, but the court limited them to 12 witnesses on those points. : The plaintiffs attorneys raadd no attempt to impeach the defendant's character or veracity, nor did they introduce any evidence to retut the very formidable array of testimony against their clients moral character. « Have you seen those beautiful ftfef at Clarkes? Q B. P. Ferguson will loan you money at 6 per cent. See Clarkes stoek, of watches, clock and Jewelry before purchasing

B. F. Ferguson will sell you Builds ing and Loan stock. Call on C. B. Steward, agent for lots in Colombia Addition; 140 lota at prices from $25 to $l3O. The cause of Porter A Wiahard’s enormous shoe trade is because they sell the Henderson and give satiefiction. Estey organs and pianos, and E*tey A Camp organs and pianos, on exhibition at C. B. Steward’s. Have yon bought yonr Spring em- • broideries and edgings? We are selling a large line o' them at cost. Mbs. L. liits. Everything fresh and new and first class, and at lowest living pricts, at Warner A Shead’s the new goocery . store. .. : ■ ■ '• ~. z B. F. Ferguson is a Notary Public and can make ont and take acknowledgment of any legal papers. Give him a call,

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