Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1869-01-02
H. G.. ENTLER. Clerk.


Daniel Dechert OF the Ilsgersto wn Mail.
has recovered damages for the destruction
of his Office in 1862. A correspondence
dated Hsgerslown, Dec. %, to the Balli-
more San. says -
The case of Daniel Dechert against the
Mayor and Council Of Hagerslown for
the destruction. in 1862. of the Office Of
the Hsgers;own Mail, Of which newspa-
per he was, al that time, the editor and
proprietor. was taken up las! Friday and
concluded this evening. The jury, after
having retired for about two hours and a.
half. brought in verdict for the plaintiff
laying the damages al $500. The evil
dence in The case was very vOluminous
and cumulative, brief synopsis OF which
is as follows At The time of the Geslruc.
ton Of the property for The value Of which
this suit was instituted, The plaintiff was,
as above stated, the editor of tie Hsgers-
town Nail, democratic weekly journal.
On The 24lh of May news was received
here that Colonel Kenly's regiment Of
Maryland volunteers had been captured
by The Coniederstes, and alter their sur
render, had been msssscred-ihe Colonel,
himself. having had bis ,broa, cut. This
story, fabulous though ii proved TO be,
gave rise TO the most intense excitement,
which was hourly increased by refugees
who poured into the town from Virginia,
each band of whom, upon its arrival, gave
a more exaggerated account Of The affair
than the last. Owing to the inlurlaied
condition OF the lawless portion OF the
community, danger was anticipated, and
the plaintiff, whose Office seemed 10 be
the particular OBJECT OF their fury. gave
notice 10 the mayor that he had reason 10
anticipate an attack upon his property.
The mayor did not inlerpose protection
IS demanded. About eigh, o'clock The az
fair eliminated, and an attack was made
upon the office oil the planlif, after seve.
raj minor demonstrations against other
persons obnoxious 10 this disorderly ele-
menl. His type were entirely destroyed.
together with all the rest e bis printing
materials. including paper. &C.. as also
were his books of account. His presses
were considerably damaged. Mr.. Dech
er,, himself, was forced 10 leave his home,
and did no. consider il judicious 10 return
for the space OF about eighteen months.
The counsel for The defendants con-
tended that there was no power vested IN
the may or 20 quell the riot. as he had no
authority 10 compel The citizens OF the
town 10 assist him in its suppression. the
authority vested in him for tina. purpose
by the charter of this corporation having
been diverted by the constitution Of 1851,
which deprived hin of his judicial func-
tons as justice Of the peace. On the
other hand it was conlended by the coun-
sci Cor the plaintiff that he still retained
his police authority, under which he had
foil power 10 summon and command the
assistance Of the citizens in the suppress
sion OF unlawful assemblies. This seem
ed 10 be The pon, of Jaw upon which the
case turned. 1t was decided in favor Of
xMe plaintiff.
- The case was ably argued on both sides
BY Hon. w. NJ. Merrick, Of your city.to-
|. gether with Messrs. Clsggett and Doug
lass. of Hsge's,own. for plaintiff, and
Messrs. Syesier and Mason for defend.
ants. The arguments consumed nearly
The whole day, and was concluded by
Judge Merrick. who. IN brief but clear
and pertinent address. closed the case.
This was a case of much importance,
as j, is the first of series Of a similar
character now pending against ouF corpo-