Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-11-25
$500 Damages for ~slanderous Words

rASSS oohAAENo v AaoAAOAO0S "S-AS
The Suit below mentioned was tried
in the District Court at Pittsburg, Nov.
10th. The fair plaintiff formerly resid-
ed in Warren, and her many friends here
are pleased to learn Of her success in OBJ
tanning redress from one who attempted
to cast a shadow upon her character, so
frank and honest.
The security of a persons reputation
or q good name from the arts of detrac-
lion and SANDER, is a right 10 which ev-
ery one is entitled by reason and natural
Justice.
The following notice Of the Suit we
clip from The Pittsburg Dispatch, of Nov.
18th.
Lucy NJ. Morgan vs.. James Costing.
The plaintiff is a young lady of very
prepossessiag appearance, and brought
this suit to recover damages for SANDER
ons words, alleged TO have been spoken
in July. 1856, under the following cir
cumstances. Miss Morgan was about to
visit some friends in Warren, Ohio. On
the morning fixed for starting, she went
to the store of defendant TO purchase
some thrilling articles Of wearing apparel,
~corsets, &c: The articles we're given
her, and as is the custom with storekeep-
ers, she was allowed, at her request. to
take the corsets home for the purpose of
ascertaining whether they would suit,
with the understanding that if she kept
them she would send down the value of
them BY her mother, who was also a
customer of Mr.. Gosling. If the articles
did moi suit, they were 10 be sent back
by a sister, as The plaintiff was going
away and could not return them herself.
Ascertaining that the corsets would not
answer, Miss Morgan gave directions TO
have them sent back, and in company
with a friend took an omnibus for the
Western cars. The omnibus stopped at
Hare's Hotel for some passengers. Cos
ling here made his appearance, opened
the door of the vehicle, and demanded
the corsei.. Miss NJ. informed him that
they would be returned in a few min
utes, as she had given directions TO that
effect when she left home. Gosling re-
piled, you're a liar-you never intend
ed to return them!" A young man in
the omnibus expostulated with Costing
for using such language towards a lady,
and asked him TO 90 back with them to
the hotel. or get the driver TO go back,
and he (Go>ling) could get the articles.
Costing refused O go to the hotel, and
said Miss NJ. was a "rascal' and did
not intend to return the corsels when she
got them. The young man then asked
G%o>ling the value Of The articles. and
was informed that they were worth five
dollars. This amount was rendered Cos
ling with the request that If The articles
were at the store when he arrived there
the money must be refunded. Gosling
took the money, remarking that there
no danger of that the corsets were
10 hen trunk on The top Of TIE omnibus.
and soc never intended TO return them
when she got them Miss NJ. proceed
ed on her journey. and Gosling, Oh re
TO his store, found two little girls
with the articles, and was informed that
Mss Morgan had sent them back. Cos
ling remarked that they were paid for
and. he did not want them.
For the defeusc it was alleged that
Miss Morgan misrepresented who the ar
. r II. - !
by Gosling were spoken in tue heat of
passion, and under tie impression that
she was about leaving with intent to de
him of The value of his goods.
The eourt charged The jury that the
words used by defendant were actiona
bic, end the conduct Of Mr.. Costing was
at least rash and disrespectful 10 O wo
man. Verdict in fYaor of Plaintiff OF 81,
800 damages.