Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-06-18
Great Breach Of Promise Case.
One Hundred Thousand Dollars Damages
.a Awarded. ess.t <~r *as>A

lone Hundred Thousand Dollars Damages
Awarded. ~' aA
Our readers were yesterday informed by
telegraph of the termination OF the cele-
brated Sprague. Craig breach of promise
case, at Wheaton, Illinois, on Tuesday,
The sum of 500, 900 was awarded the fair
| plaintiff by the jury as an equivalent for
the damage which she alleged she has sus-
| tanned.
Miss Amanda J. Craig, who has been
thus fortunate, met the defendant for the
first time in 1859, while teaching school at
Cincinnati. It was clearly a case of love
at first sight, for he invited her to the the
atre on that same evening, and visited her
frequently until 1861 and 1862, when he
made overtures of marriage. which were
not then accepted. On the principle,
however, that faint heart never won fair
| lady, he continued his attentions at inter
walls, and in 1866 his perseverance was
crowned with successfully became en-
gagged.
The 18th of tine following September
was appointed for the contamination of
their wedding bliss, but Sprague's heart
failed him, and he turned up missing until
February 20, 1866, when he returned to
his allegiance once more, giving sickness
as an excuse for his long absence. All now
went we'll until April, when he went to
Chicago, whittier he was followed by his
affianced, who found him living on terms
of intimacy with a servant girl. After
much tribulation and solemn promise to
refolm, Miss Craig restored him to his
former place in her affections, but as soon
as he got out of her clutches he inconti-
nently cleared ont, and she saw nothing
more of him until 1867. AS he then show
ed no inclination to perform his promise
and marry her, she sued him with the re-
suit above stated. Some of the letters pro-
duced in evidence are exceeding y rare
specimens in their way-his OF orthogra-
ply and hers of lovelorn poetry. We sub
join a few specimens of each:
sunday Evening the 10th
Adams House Chicago, i'll.
my Dear Loved and respected Amanda,
theas few Lines are to inform you that lit
is with all of the Exertion that can mus
ter that am able to attend to my Bust
the Buildings we'll I will tell you of the
Particulars first the Brick work is
all Done the roofing is finished
the floors are all Layed the Gas
fixtures are in except the finishing of
them By screwing on the Burners and So
fourth and the windows are glazed and in
work to be Done, the Patent Lights of iron
and Glass in front Of tie house Base to be
Putt Down that throws the Light in the !
Basement. the Plastering and sealing of
Sth story and Base with ogee moulding and !
window caps and pillasters and winding
starways with Black walnut Rails shealving
and Offices and sofourth now my Love have
Been thinking all Day of you and the on
ley comfort l have is to Look at your min
allure know you Don't want TO see NEE
amy moar than [ want to see you Before
now only did mott want to Loose what
had already saved and earnt and layed up !
at the cost of my Life or in other words
my health [ hoop I will have enough for
to support us when get oled and mott be
under any obligation for charity now my
Love | shall come to Cincinnati as soon as
l Possibly can Leave my houses you mead
not BE afraid of myself undertaking an
other Job soon think [ am putty we'll
cured if I Gett through with this Joab I
will do very we'll and Lett well huff alone
| have the houses rent to Different firm
Paying me Q2) Thousand Dolors yeer
Leesed each for (3) yeers for the small sum
Of (72) Thousand Dollars for Boath Houses
the houses are Large Joabng whoolsail
Dry goods Booth [ refused to Rent to
aney other class OF Business they will be
frst-clnss stores [ have them insured for
(5O) thousand dollars in a. insuring Offices
az, 500 each making 100000 my Love to
mother father and Brother [ hoape you
enjoy the Blessing OF Good health and
Prosperity say to father my speachial Re-
gard and Good wishes Love I hOape lit
will mott Be Long Be fore I can have the
Blessing and Enjoyment of Seeing you and
you III my Arms Yours as ever
with my whole heart and sole q. G. S. to
Day is clear and Could Yesterday an sat 4;
friday lit showed all day am heating the
water to Day the Plastering of weak Day
md using all of the Perseverance, I can to
Jitt the houses done think lit will take
ill the Is Day of January if doant Gitt
hem done BY the l of January lit will s
,ost me $40 Per day until do get them
lone so [ will not lett the Grass Grow I'M ,
Ter my feat N. B. now my love [ want you
o be as happy as possible and cheerful is
mother as young as ever and cheerful when
hight comes lit is very seldom that 60 I
'ut at all have only Been out evenings
ence I have been in the Place.
E. G. SPRAGUE. 6
Written in one corner of this letter was {
he following " o Lord hoo art in heaven :
less our hearts and soles and be with :
is and glide us and Protect us. E. q. S. :
HEARTAoHE IN YANKEE LAND. I
Boston Mass Oct 2 1866
Monday 100 o'c q. m.
oy Dear and best Beloved and respected {
nd Honored in my hart to Amanda J. q !.
}raig my dear you must parden me for /
ott written you at Chicago Before lett :
hat Place I left the second day after [ |
7rote you my Love my hart has Acked {
nd have felt bad for so doing Butt I'M !,
lie Elisha coosed me to go with him East l
0 see Doct Warren and I done so shall l
cave in few days for Chicago and then
Or yo1r place. I hoap will gett few =
ines from you at Chicago I can mott run
he risk of a Surgacle operation until I
ave my matters all settled it is great risk
0 says Doc Warren and others Butt q
annot Put lit off Longer than next spring
t the fartherest Love I will write you from
}hicago and Lett you Know of the Par =
lculars about what my doct says Mandy :
ow you have all of my love and Esteem
nd respect Keep good heart in order to .
Aeep up your spearitts 1 have looked at y
our miniture at least IL Dozen times o =
ow love you and you don't Believe one =