National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-01-11
HIGGINS BIG SUIT
The Farce In the Circuit Court Ended In a
Verdict for Defendant,

The Farce In the Circuit Court Ended In n
Verdict for Defendant.
The trial of the suit Of Thomas higgins
against President U. S. Grant, for 100000
damages for illegal arrest and imprisonment
in the Insane Asylum, terminated in hzzlc
yesterday I'm the Circuit Court,
Samuel r. Drury, the attorney, testified that
some six years ago higgins came to his office
and said that he had claim against the Pres.
ident, but gave no satisfaction as to what It
was. lie LAID down $40 bill, and told him to
| take hack and 60 to the man ut once. Big
| gins promised to furnish the facts gu which
the claim rested. higgins said that II he
would call upon the President. he would in
form him what to do. The witness went to
tine White House and sent in his care as at
torncy for higgins. The President gave him
an audience and inquired his business. When
stated tho President said Il don't know the
man"
When he described tho man General Grant
replied, That is the man that has annoyed
me for long time" higgins never disclosed
much, and the witness led him to believe that
he was attending to the business and advised
him to romaiu away from the White House.
higgins said that tho reason he WAS 50 ur'
gent in the matter was that tho President
came to his house IN spir., and bothered him
very much
Colonel Robert Chrlsty. another attorney,
testified that he acted In Bguus case under
an arrangement with his nephew aud mother
aud acquiosced in by higgins, before anything
was done. The result was that ne was dis
charged from tie asylum on conditions. He
said the President aud tho latter referred the
matter TO the witues, and Judgment OF higgins
friends, and they came to the conclusion that
q sea voyage aud visit to his old home would
be likely to prove beneficial.
Mr. Brook MackGll who assisted IN getting
| higgins out Of the asylum, testified that in
couvcr.ing about the claim, higgins said that
| the President owed him money for attending
to private and confidential papers. The day
before he departed FOR Europe higgins said
that the President called on him at his house
in spirit.
Thomas higgins being recalled for the de-
Tense, testified that he did not remember tell
ing DR.. Eliot, DR. McEim, aud Mr.. Sargent
that General Grants spirit came to him Of
| telling DR. Chase anything about Fathers
White and NcNaIly or telling anybody that
| General Grant visited him in spirit
| Dr. j. &. Moore the last witness, testified
that he had never noticed anything peculiar
about higgins conduct.
The counsel for the defendant asked the
court to give certain instructions TO the jury
His Honor said chat he should hold that, &
the jury believed Biggus insane, and that his
4 insanity was pcrlous o the safety OF the Presi
/ dent OF any other citizen, it was the right Nul
/ duty ot the officer to restrain him until ht
could be provided for as u man in bis youdi-
/ ton should be-
| Mr. GoldsborouGh, of the counsel for the dc
| Tense, said that the proof in the case turncJ
out very different from what they had ex
pCcted,
His Honor instructed the ju-y to return
verdict tor the defendant, which was prompt.
| done. and the tarce ended