The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-02-12
HIS PAINTED NOSE.
Costly Cosmetics on n Colored Boys Face
An Artist Sued for Putting Them There.
From the Cleveland Herald

A case was tried before Justice John T
Green and jury Friday, which was bot
unique and absurd in its character. Alexan
der Coran, by his next friend, America Cora1
(both colored), brou yht suit against d. Scot
Evans, portrait painter, for $500 damage
sustained by them (the plaintihs) by reaso,
OF defendants breach of contract. Coran an(
Mclaughlin appeared for the plaintiffs, ant
George Hester for defendant.
Several witnesses were examined, and there
was but little contradiction in the testimony
1t appears that about two weeks ago the col
ored boy went into Evans studio, on Euclid
Avenue, and asked if he wanted any ashes
carried out or spittoons cleaned Mr.. Evans
| told him that he did not, but offered the boy
| five cents to let him paint his nose; and after
few minutes hesitation he consented.
The artist said 'Quick, bring me my good
pencil. now, or words to that effect, and pro
ceeded to put q coat of red paint on the ebony
nose of the boy that caused it to look like thai
OF an old topper. The paint was skillfully ap.
piled, and the rubicund pug and rosy cheeks
showed plainly that they had not been rouged
by the hand of any mere novice in the art.
Alexander COran was then sent with his
war paint on to a young lady up stairs, and
told to ask her to take his picture and the boy
with him, to say that the young African was
OF loyal blood. Evans also sent the boy to the
studio of a brother artist, and then with a
note written by him to No. % Hamilton street.
but he first put on another coat of carnation
on his nose. This note was read by one OF
the attorneys 1t was written in a facetious
vein, and stated that the bearer was of royal
blood and an imp of fame; that he had pedi-
gree which was the color of his nose.
America Coran, the mother of the bow,
testified that he came home, and after she
had recovered from her fright she removed
the paint by applications Of soap and water
She went atterward to Evans studio, and after
talking few minutes was ordered to leave
The testimony in regard to the red rose was
continued for some time, and the witness
stated that Evans had told her son that he
could make 81 or So on his pictures if he
would have them taken.
Keilable witnesses were examined on the
part OF the defense, and said that the bow
was improved very much in appearance by the
painting. This improvement of art upon ma
ture was not appreciated by the fond mother,
and hence the bringing of the suit.
The attorney for the defense made short
argument, urging that Mr. Evans had painted
the boys face for the fun of it, and that it
was very trivial matter. The plaintiffs at
torney waxed exceedingly eloquent, and gave
startling definition of the word pedigree.
used in the letter, and said it was an insult to
sen the same to lady.
The jury that had remained spell bound
during the making of the plea, were recalled
TO the world of stern reality by the voice of
Justice Green, and retired into their room,
and, after laying their heads together for a
few minutes, they returned with verdict of
$500 damages against the defendant.
This surprised mos. of the little audience
and the defendant. He will undoubtedly
have another trial, as he does not propose to
pay so dearly for a small joke.