The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-08
A BRoOKLYN BOARDING HOUSE.

In the Marine Court, before Judge Alkcr and jury
yesterday. there for trial SANDER suit
brought by Mrs Alice A. Thompson against Mcdge
Messenger in Which she seeks TO recover 81 900 dam
ages The parties the suit all Brooklyncs, and
the part Of plaintiff 1t is alleged that defendant has
been u strong supporter OF Bcechcr The SANDER
planned OF is that the defendant used language IN ref
plaintiff the reasonable Inference from which
is that she woman OF unchastc character 1t
appeared IRON the testimony the case that
Mrs. Percy, at the :ime of the utterancc OF the
alleged SANDER kept boarding house at No. Is Sidney
place, Brooklyn that defendant boarded there with
his brother, and plaintiff, with her two married sisters,
lived the house. About the ides OF March,
1876 the younger Of the defendant
10 Mrs Weeks, sister Of plaintiff living IN The same
house, 10 which exception taken, and which finally
became the subjec OF the conversation IN which the
SANDER is alleged to have been uttered ~ defendant
The defendant placed upon the stand, AID while
denying absolutely that no ever uttered worl reflect
ing the character OF plaintiff for cnastity went on
10 xpaln what did say. He testified In substance
that u, the date IN question complaint was maze about
the note written ny his brother, and he in defending
his brother, assorted that the written
Spouse to invitation to the writer by Mrs. Weeks
have HIM to her room TO drink whiskey, and that
the uote was no worse than the invitation. AT this
point Mrs. Barker, another sister OF plaintiff took up
the cudgels for her family ana wanted Mr.. Messenger
TO understand that she lady and his SUPERIOR and
when he uttered Islander against her sisters he uttered
II against her; that II be defended the conduct OF his
brother he was no better than his brother. lie
torted that he had Ms Weeks under the influence
OF liquor, and there rumor that the plaintiff
Mrs. Thompson, had INTO tho house under
similar Influences. At this point the old lady, Mrs.
Percy insisted that the younger Messenger leave tho
house at once and the defendant advised him 90.
Tho conversation thea taken up by Mr.. Barker
The husband OF oil the daughters, who SAID to de-
PENDANT that he (aessengcr) one Of That class of
Christians who support Beecher; that he deserved
rowhidng, and he lBarkerl had good mind give IL
to him. Folding has arms in composed and earnest
dignity. Messenger replied that it not Tor
like Barker, who lived on his old mother n-law, to
rowhid, anybody.
Mr.. Barker, so TO your room at once said Mrs
Percy Barker went while Mr.. Messenger leaned his
the stair railing and remained in position.
Mrs. Barker following her husband, rs she passed
Messenger said:--
~ have good mind 10 slap your face. -
wouldn't do II If were YOU y replied Messenger,
"ior II might make you appear less of lady than you
now reported to be. -
She didn't slap him. and all parties the discussion
having retired from tho scene, he retired his ROOM
packed his trunk and retired from the house. lie
added In his testimony that the house had bad rcpu
tation Freeman T. Field gave his testimony to the
effect, the part OF the defence. that plaintiff hal
procured the services OF Brooklyn physician for
Improper purpose. William I. Hardc nbrook who I'D
vertscs in tho Church journal and Gospel Ncssen1cr
testified having Mrs. Thompson in company
with Mr. Thorndikc at the West Side Hotel,
o'clock In the morning lie lIardcnhrook) had his
vile with HIM, having been at party picnic and
did not see anything wrong IN the conduct OF Mrs
Thompson her companion other than their presence
nj the hotel at that time. At this point the
adjourned until to-day, when Coo-e Spencer, The
part OF the painful promises 10 iattcn out all the cs
tmony oil the defence to the doubtful reputation OF
the Percy board ing house It's inmates.