The hydraulic press., 1860-11-24
o. p. STIDGER VS.. the CALIFORNIA
STAGE COMPANY.

This was an amicable suit between the parties,
to determine what amount of damages, if any,
the defendants should pay to plaintiff, growing
out of the injuries received by him by the upset
ting of one OF the company's coaches, near
Parks Bar, in Yuba county, on the 30th day of
Julylast. The case, py agreement, was submit
ted to three Arbitrators, two of whom were
chosen by the respective parties litgant, and the
third by the two so selected. Mr.. John G. Fall,
of Marysville. the choice of the Stage Com
pany, and Major S. S. Lewis, of Sweetlafd, in
this county, was selected by Judge Stidger.
These gentlemen chose Stephen Spencer, of
Young's Hill, in Yuba county, as a third arbi-
traitor. The investigation of the case commenced
on Thursday, 10Th inst, and closed on the Sat-
urday following, with an award in favor of Stidger
of $4,000, and the costs of arbitration.
Judge Reardon, of Yuba county, conducted
John r. Mcconnell, Esq, of this county, in
favor of Judge Stidger. The case was conducted
ably and courteously by both gentlemen, and
was, in letter and spirit, an amicable adjustment
of all difficulties and disputes between the ad-
verse parties.
others, testified asto the extent of the injuries
received by Judge Stidger. They had never
known or read of an instance where such severe
injuries had been received by person who sur
vived them. Several thought him crippled for
life, and all agreed In opinion, that he never
would be the hale, stout, energetic man he was
before the accident. The testimony of Drs. Gray
and Rice was introduced with the intention of
proving that Stidgers case was not professionally
treated by his surgeons, against which stood the
fact, that notwithstanding the severe and critical
nature of his wounds, he was cured, when recov-
cry seemed almost miracle.
The bill of DIR. Mcdaniel against Judge Std
ger, amounting to SO 900 for eight weeks services,
was attacked by Drs. Gray and Rice-these gen.
tlemen maintaining that ten visits in all were
only required to be made by DIR. Mcdaniel,
whereas he had charged for forty-four, being an
average of over five visits week for eight weeks
The Arbitrators subsequently reduced this bill
considerably which, it is contended, cannot
a. all affect the merits of the case, inasmuch as
DIR. Mcdaniel has recourse against Judge Std
ger personally, and has nothing whatever to do
with the Stage Company or the decision of the
Arbitrators-neither of the parties last named
being in any manner responsible for the debt
that Mcdaniel can at any time sue Stidger for
the full amount of his bill, with a fair case in
equity and justice to recover.
Since the award of the Arbitrators was made
public, there has been no small amount of dis
cussion on the Streets pro and con, was to have
been expected, relating to its business. There are
those who think the amount of damages ample,
because the injuries received by Judge Stidger
We're the result of an accident not designed by
the Stage Company, nor foreseeh, but caused by
an irresponsible driver, in whom they reposed
confidence that was abused while others argue
that the Company is fully responsible for all the
acts of its agents, competent or incompetent !;
that sixteen thousand dollars is but a trifing
compensation for the amount of physical and
mental agony which Judge Stidger endured; his
loss of time, past and prospective; the breaking
up of d lucrative business besides the perna-
nent injury inflicted upon his right arm; the
probability of his remaining cripple for life,
and the liability of his wounds at any time to
OPEN not only to the endangering of his future
health and safety, but to the presumption of ad-
ditional medical attendance, extending through
an indefinite period of time.
Major Lewis, we are Informed, from this latter
view of the case, was in favor of awarding to
Judge Stidger much heavier damages, but was
overruled by his co-Arbitrators.