Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1859-06-18
Breach of Promise Case.

ST. Louis announces that in the case ol
Miss Carstang vs.. Henry Shaw, Tor
breach of promise of marriage, the jury
rendered a verdict for the full amount OF
the petition of the plaintiff, 100000. 1t
is understood that the counsel for the de-
fendant will file petition for new trial.
Mr. Shaw is 'genlemam Of great
wealth, estimated at from 100000 10
81 100000. He is bachelor, with
city residence, besides beautiful sum-
mer resort, near the city, called "Iower
Grove" Miss Carstang is an orphan, the
daughter OF deceased Methodist preach
er Of Brooklyn. She lived in ST Louis
with widowed sister, who kept board
ing house. The following letter offered IN
evidence, was written in 1858 by Miss
Carstang to Mr.. Shaw, the defendant:
"When last saw you, SAID | would
see you again or wrne 10 you, but delay
ed doing either, as hoped your own
sense of right would lead you to seek an
interview with me. | write TO you now
not because it is pleasant task, nor DO
| do it to annoy you, for believe | am so
constituted that is my Disposition always
to heal, rather than wound; but, at the
same time, consider myself, under all
circumstances, as bound TO protect and
defend my own person, honor and rePu-
tation, let who will suffer, and write
now TO remind you that by your atten-
lons the last two years to me and our en-
gsgemen, and your subsequent deserIion
Of me, you have attacked and comprc-
missed all three.
"It is unnecessary for me to say that |
am much.put out and dissatisfied, though,
perhaps, YOU think. | ought to have had
better sense than TO have believed you.
1t is over two years since you sought my
acquaintance, and requested permission
TO visit me, and offered me references as
TO your character and position, and very
soon after came your proposal 10 marry
You said your wealth and business did
n0l answer for company; you were very
lonesome; that your mother was too old
TO live with you; that your single sister
would propably die, even before your
mother, and Mrs. Morisse had her hus'
tand for company. After delaying some
lme to test The sincerity Of your Offers,
becoming satisfied that you really desired
me for your wife, accepted you, and
from that time you were constant vIsl-
tor. You sent me flowers and fruit, and
made me presents from time TO time, and
frequently invited me TO ride, and seemed
TO desire that our relation should be made
public. You invited me TO meet friends
a, your house in the city, and to ride on
TO your country seat. You sent me {
piano and desired that | should employ {
teacher. You told sister that you were
going TO take me away, and finally named
the time when we would marry, and
made preparations for the same. The
lime arrived, and you postponed IT, or
account Of your desire TO perfect your ar.
rangements in relation to the botanical
, garden. You removed the piano TO you'
house, under the Pretense that you de-
sired it on account Of musical party &c
be held there.
Finally,you cease TO visit me, and when
| became solicitous for fear you are i'll land
call al your house, you insult me with a
, proposition which any true woman would
reject. During our engagement have
avoided general society, and declined the
attentions Of others, and have endeavored
! 10 please you in every way. Your al
lenlions have been remarked by many,
+ and am now subjected 10 all the unhsp'
piness and modification arising from
your desertion of me. Had you called
on me as gentleman. and offered any
reasonable excuse for this treatment, or
simply asked me 10 release you from this
engagement, and assigned no reason,
trust | should have had too much pride
not to have complied a: once; but your de-
serlion, as il is, deserves whatever pun
ishment The opinion of a just public may
visit upon It's author; and you may rest
assured lha, if my council so advises, such
reparation shall be demanded of you as
our laws grant TO my sex under the cir
clmsiances. Yours,
B. G.. CARsTANG.