The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-06-22
From the Chicago Tribune, June 8,
The Verdict in the Craig--Spragwe
Breach of Promise Case.

The jury retired at three o'clock, un
der the surveillance Of the sheriff, and
after an absence of scarcely five minutes
returned and took their respective seats
in the jury box The clerk called the
roll, and, amid breathless suspense on
the part ofall present, the foreman an
nomced the verdict in favor of the
full amount of damages claimed, $780,
000 The first ballot cast by the jury TO
decide as to the verdict stood eleven
for 100000 and one for 100000 DANA
ges in favor of the plaintiff. The $50,
COO man remarked that he guessed he
would 60 the whole swine, and with
drew his pasteboard, replacing it with 4
ballot for the full amount. The effect
of the verdict upon the audience in the
courtroom was something never to be
forgotten by those who witnessed it.
When the jury took their stand in the
box a number of the lockers on behind
the bar quietly rose from their seats and
looked anxiously and eagerly forward.
No one seemed to breathe
The fair plaintiff, who covered her
eyes with handkerchief when the jury
entered, looked up wistiully and bent
over the arm of the chair, awaiting the
final edict. When the words of the fore
man, Gloss, fell upon the ears OF the peo-
pie, "We, the jury find for the plaintiff
the full amount of damages" the hall re-
sounded with cheers, clapping of hands
boisterous laughter, and such yells as
would have weakened the knees of war;
rior. The plaintiffs head fell upon the
shoulder of her mother, and grand rush
was made from outside the bar toward
the Sl00,eO0 party, the lady victor, mo-
ther, brother, and smiling counsel for
congratulation, Hand-shaking, pat
tings of the shoulder, kisses, and weep
ing were the order Of the hour The
courtroom was a Babel. Judge Will
cox rose from his magisterial seat and
in loud voice commanded order, but
order could not be restored, and the
great crowd gradully made its exit from
the door. From outside the courthouse
there could be heard loud murmur,
which swelledto prolonged cheer, clos
with a hoop that would have done cred
it to. a regiment Of Zoo-Zoos. While
the crowd was emerging from the court
room, the plaintiff and her retinue were
also preparing to leave.
AT this moment the venerable General
Linder, leading counsel for the defence,
rose fromhis seat, into which he had set
tied, overcome with violent Indignation
and rage, aud addressed the Court, beg
ging a motion for anew trial. He then
presented objections and plea for new
trial, and asked when the motion could
be entertained. 1t was decided that, the
counsel for the defence would consult
regarding time for motion.
The following are the main points of
objection entered by General Linder;
1. That the verdict of the jury is not
in accordance with the evidence submit
ted before them and the Court.
3. The Court permitted Illegal evidence
on the part of the plaintiff.
3. The Court refused to receive legal
evidence on the part of defendant.
4. The Court erred in giving instruc-
tions more in favor of plaintiff than of
defendant.
8. The Court permitted evidence to be
given in favor of plaintiff that was ille-
gal, and refused evidence for the defen-
dant that was legal
6. The Court erred in permitting DIR
Garrette, of Cincinnati, to be sworn af
ter the evidence had closed.
Z. The Court erred in refusing to let
Mr.. Peters counsel for defence) Com
ment upon the dissenting opinion Of
Judge Breese in the case referred to dur
ing his argument.
The document was placed on file in the
chiefclerk's office,
At the Platt House, to which delightful
little retreat the throng repaired after the
verdict, the excitement was intense
Miss Craig, her mother, brother, and
Messrs. Eldridge & Tourtelotte, with
their ladies, at once sought the quietude
of the parlors up stairs, where the hand
shaking and laughing congratulations
were renewed. Mr.. Platt, the worthy
landlord, had prepared an excellent sup
per for his guests, seemingly in anticipa-
ton of their ravenous appetites, and most
of the jury,together with the victorious
battalion, sat down to the repast, the last
of many through a long siege ofperplex-
ing agitation. In front Of the hotel and
at the depot, directly opposite, large
crowds gathered and discussed the all
important subject of Craig versus Sprague
and breach-of-promise suits in general