The New York herald., 1868-03-18
BROOKLYN CITY COURT.
Action for Libel-NTnry Anna Dean Leo
Boxer the New York Sun-S5O,oOO
Damages Claimed.

Action for Libel-NTnry Anna Dean Leo
Boxer vs. the New York sun-S5O,0OO
Damages Claimed.
Before Judge Thompson.
The trial OF the action brought by Mrs. Mary Anna
Dean against Moses S. Beach, Of the New York Sun,
to recover damages In the sum OF s5o,o00 for an
alleged libel published In that paper on the 25th Of
March, 1867, was commenced In the Brook
lyn City Court, before Judge Thompson,
and jury yesterday afternoon. The plaintiff, 1t win
be remembered, married her fathers coachman some
years since and her name has from time to time fig
ured in gosspy letters In various papers. her do
mestic Life being invariably described as most up
happy. The last article, and the upon which the
suit is based, appeared In a washington Journal and
was copied from the columns of that paper into the
New York sun, the defendant at that time being pro-
Mr.. Place one OF the counsel for the defence, on
the opening OF the case, stated that they admitted
the publication OF the article complained OF and also
the circulation Of the paper, 80 the plaintiff had,
therefore, nothing to prove. They denied any ma
icious intent their part having copied the report
from another Journal giving due credit TO the paper
rom which il was taken he argued, therefore, that
they were In no way responsible for Its appearance
In print - 49,
plaintiff said although the defence admitted the pub
ication OF the libel they set up plea unknown TO
but he claimed that the article was malicious and
had tendency to bring the plaintiff into disrepute.
Heiaiso contended that they had right to take the
Affirmative In the proceedings. Considerable argu-
ment ensued upon this point on both sides, but the
court finally decided in favor Of the plaintiff.
Mr. Mcmahon then opened the case FOR the plaintiff,
saving that never In the case OF libel suits had there
been Of such magnitude as the one now presented
to the Jury. He then proceeded to relate briefly the
facts In regard to the family Of Mr. Boxer and finally
TO the marriage OF Mary Anna with John Dean, whom
he described 70 DO most exemplary young man,
n'"fk necsed IN he he old country. Mrs. Dean was
married 70 her husband by Presbyterian
minister up town, and they had always lived peacea-
bly, and happily. disqualification OF the scandalous
article that she Intoxicated In the streets, and
fallen % we women. This was base falsehood, and the
defendant could have ascertained that fact he had
taken the pains TO inquire. The counsel here read
the complaint In question: and was followed BY Mr..
Place ior the defence, after which
Mr.. Noses 8. Beach was called and testified sub
stantiay a. follows:-I am the defendant In this
proprietor OF the sun nearly ell the time since 1s4s
this article Of iseS until to-day; At that time my
the article cmanated the nrst knowledge had OF the
article Of 1867 was when saw 1t on the morning Of
It's publications. Mr.. Shipman was the night editor at
sequenty sent and gave In for publication; another
communication In reference to the matter was made
to me by Mr.. Haslatt, who said his attention had
thst some retraction should be- made; replied that
retraction had been made but be wrote another and
consented TO publish IT,
don in question which was published on the aSth OF
April following, and which requested papers
throughout the country TO rest assured that the state
ments with reference TO Mrs.. Dean and her husband
witness resuming-I was not acquainted with the
Boxer family or with the Deans; next heard OF the
ssa ne vhess s SUn S
and served with very formidable legal paper BY
young man; was naked at the time. and the tinr