Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-06-18
SEDUCTION.
Trial q the suit Brought by Miss
EmILy VOss Against John j. O'Brien
she Attempts to Shoot her
Alleged Seducer In the
Courtroom.

The trial of the seduction case of Miss
Emily Voss against John J. O'Brien, suit for
Eve thousand dollars damages, was COM
menced yesterday at the circuit courtroom,
before. Special-Judge w. S. Flppn. The
following jury was impaneled: Messrs. j.
w. Dlllard, N. Fontaine. II. B. Howell, J. P.
Carey, john Toomey, G. Kunkle, w. E. Boyd,
S. J. Camp, l.. B. Suggs. w. w. Ware, Z.
2. Duncan, and J. D. Dowell. The plaintiff,
Miss Voss, was represented by Mr. K. ID.
Frayser. and the defendant by Mr.. Luke E.
Wright and MIR. w. Q. Folkes. The court
house was crowded during the day, consid-
cradle interest being felt In the case,
and the greatest sympathy being expressed
for the young lady. 1t will be remembered
that some time since old man Noss, an hon.
est, Woodworking German, committed suicide
IL South Memphis owing to the ruin of his
daughter and the refusal of her seducer to
marry her. She informed her father when
her condition became known, that John J.
O'Brien had seduced her under promise of
marriage. SUIT was brought in the Shelby
county circuit court against O'Brien for Sc
duction and five thousand dollars damages.
When Miss Voss was placed on the stand
yesterday she gave her testimony clearly and
in a straightforward manner. She detailed
how O'Brien had beset her; he was her
beau-her lover; she had no other lover; he
succeeded in accomplishing her ruin under
promise OF marriage, and she yielded to his
urgent and persistent solicitations; a child
was the fruit Of this acquaintance; she de-
MED being too intimate with other men.
Several witnesses were introduced, but the
young lady's character, SO far as other men
were concerned, was unimpeached.
"YOU MURDERED MY FATHER!"
John ]. O'Brien was placf on the stand,
and underwent a rigorous examination. He
hesitated considerably during his examina-
ton. He at last said that If he ever had con-
nection with Miss Lizzie Voss that ne had
forgotten it.
Miss Voss arose suddenly, her eyes flashed
with anger and Indignation, and she ex-
| claimed aloud: You murdered my poor old
father, and you now want to ruin me. "
She approached the witness stand, where
O'Brien was sitting, and attem pied to draw
| a pistol from her pocket, but it hung in the
skirt of her dress. For time q scene of ex.
element and confusion prevailed, lawyers
and others jumped from their seats and the
| Judge left his bench. A deputy sheriff seized
| Miss Voss aud disacmed her. While this
was progressing O'Brlen sat in the witness
| chair, HE face as pale as death, and evidently
| terror-stricken. The commotion ceased after
awhile, and Miss Voss was led back to hel
seat, beside her counsel, and the trial of the
case was renewed. The case will be further
heard to-day. The defense sought to be
made Is that OBJ ien is not the father of the
| child, that he had 10 criminal connection
| with Miss Voss, and that the girl had been
intimate with other men.
Miss Voss Is quite a prepossessing- looking
| German girl, innocent and unsuspecting, one
who would be liable to fall victim to the
arts and wiles of practlced deceiver, who
| promised marriage and affected to be a de
voted lover. She was dressed in deep mourn
ing and a dark veil hung over her sad looking
| face. She is mournIng for her father, who
| shot himself to death rather than live anc
witness his beloved daughters shame. The
greatest sympathy is expressed for the I'M
fortunate 2Irl by all classes of people-anC
| deservedly so.