The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-03-18
George &. szmssaway's Life I'm
nurancc case.


TUESDAY, March II.
The concluding argument in the case Of
admr. Of Est. Of Geo. c. Hathaway vs. Ma
tional Life Insurance Go. Of Montpelier
was made on Tuesday morning, the
charge Of the Judge to the jury and the
case given into their hands at noon. No
case in our courts Tor long time has
caused SO much comment and awakened
such an interest in the minds Of our cti-
zens generally as has this, which has been
manifested throughout tie trial by the
large and interested audiences that have
gathered at the court house
The closing argument for the plaintiff
was made by
W. G. VEAZEY,
being considered as one Of his best efforts
before jury. as it was systematically ar
ranged for presentation on every point and
was listened to with deep attention by all.
He commenced by deprccating his in
ability to follow so learned and reputable q
speaker as EX-Gov. Dillingham; and
would, under the circumstances, rely upon
the forbearauce and sagacity OF the jury to
aid him in being understood in the argu-
ments he should make. 1t was generally
understood that if man took his life he
committed suicide. This was denominated
an error. Blackstone had said that TO con-
stitute suicide the prepetrator must have
come to years Of discretion and be OF
sound mind. This definition had been
copied into every dictionary of the day and
was conceded to be the true doctrine
George G Hathaway had agreed, when he
took the policy of life insurance, that il
he committed suicide the policy should be
forfeited. But he did not commit suicide,
as was claimed. from the fact that he be
came insane and not of sound mind. This
was the essential element of the word.
The counsel claimed that he had Il suicidal
impulse over which he had no control
This was for the jury to decide, and it was
an important question to consider. not in
the extent of amount, but from the fact
that it was the first case of the kind in this
State. When this jury should come to
consider the number of policies issued in
this State they would more fully appreciate
the magnitude of the case. This very In
/
bearing the same clause reg,r,linc, ineonjtv
While another fact shows thnt7 Vcrnn11i
contributed 5000 O00 IN f"rcirn comnanies
in addition 10 thosn in tbis Sta3n oii lawn
,hia eon,o clause ,yhich ;nnroo,,I ,h,, H.
nortanco devolvina mon ~ ri',r,t don;s;n,,
IF th;s case NV te inr"r VIZ ,"os ,bie
o,.ronii,,,ro ~ 49,, 1' I;ra "" o,, 1'a',
T. ,vas 'oMo ~. thnoo ~ i,io LAM,
stoncns with he dosra ~
for their dear amos r. Ioath Hhni5 yor,al
,Lan This was ,yb,, ,'o ,,ora ,'',,,ri,,1
out riilinn dniIars v"o, ,o ' tbd p"', r,.
cornorations Mnst tijS dcot,, ho $500
ecrihrd r. n norticnlar n,onrcr9 in SIM,
Form nomcd tbot we NAV h@ enti,loI to ti,
rp,,rrng Wos not suiciie the se,nc os an,
diseasng We're we not rs iisblo to Il,
stricken down with INSANITY as WINS Geo
g. Uothowovy How many of ms wonl,
,al,n tiis n,oro,, Fro', n,r raoi.ats :,
meet those navm9nts we're we Load to tlinl
Tho con,nonic; 40 narrow in thcir views a
,Tos shown Inv Ills one II was no sIirb
honor fo, this inv IN bo thc Diet 20 noe
unor his onesIioS in Vernon, THO com
sci would I' submit thot dcreoscd had n,
nownr ov viii IN stonI orainst the inrnuIs
hat lcd lin, 70 tbst ,r,m5c mo ,,rndf %,
this MONT vros cnncI,siyn and o,.dr,,holn
80 Ivi,'' ''. '''''' 80" - r