The north Iowa times. [volume] (M'Gregor [i.e. McGregor], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-08-07
From the Boston Herald, July 20.
Crinoline in Court-A Lady Arrested
ana Fined for obstructing the Side
U1a1lxe

ana Fined for obstructing the Side
walks. rs. -. .s.
One of the most extraordinary cases
ever brought before legal tribunal, was
witnessed in the Police Courts on Satur-
day. An officer complained of a young
and remarkably handsome lady for OBJ
structing the sidewalks of Washington
street by too great display Of crino-
line. # a.. 0... .. = aa# ...4
AS it is understood that the lady is
highly connected, we will call her Mary
Smith, and not expose her true name.
Before the complaint was read, Judge
Russell inquired as to the whereabouts
Of the prisoner. The officer replied
that the lady was waiting in the entry :
that himself and two others had endeav-
ored to squeeze her through the door
ways, but they were too narrow, and
he wished the Judges advice in the
premises.
The Judge said it was an extraordi-
nary case the constitution guaranteed
to every one an open trial, and he would
not hold session in the entry even to
please lady. Under the circumstan-
ces, he recommended that Miss Smith
be moved from the entry to the front
door, and he thought that she must
spread considerable not to be able to take
her place in the prisoners dock.
The experiment was tried and found
to answer admirably-the door being
some twenty feet wide, very little COM
pressing was needed-and with frown
of indignation upon her pretty brow,
Miss Smith found herself face to face
with the Judge, and listened to the COM
plant which was read to her.
The officer testified that half dozen
times during the week he had been
obliged to step from the sidewalk to
enable the defendant to pass. Once he
came very near being run over by a
passing carriage, and he inquired of
the Judge whether the city government
would have allowed pension to his
widow in case he had been killed.
The Judge said that he shoul reserve
his opinion until some time next week
on that point, and inquired whether the
circumference of the lady was not pro.
duced by natural causes.
The police officer said that he was
the father of sixteen children, and if he
was lucky, he expected an addition to
his family next month. He. had never
known his wife to occupy half so much
space as Miss Smith, and he hoped she
never would, as he disliked twins.
The court rebuked the levity of the
man and told him he must trust to Provi-
dence.
The officer said he should. but if
Providence continued to favor him he
meant to petition for an increase Of sal
ary, and he though he ought to have
it.
The court intimated that his remarks
were irrelevant to the case, and inquir-
ed if he had any further testimony to
offer.
The officer said he had. He had re-
quested the prisoner two or three times
not to stop on the sidewalk, as people
were unable to pass without going into
the street, which at times was incon-
venient to ladies wearing paper-soled
shoes, owing to the outrageous man
ner in which the thoroughfares were
watered.
The court, in summing up, said that
the evil was one of great magnitude,
and should be checked by vigorous
measures. There was no statue under
which too great display of crinoline
came, but he should take the response
bility of inhicting a fine of IS and
costs, and he hoped it would be warn
ing. .-.a.......
The fine was promptly paid and Miss
Smith was discharged.