The New York herald., 1879-02-27
THE COURTS.
New Developments in Mrs. Hams
Slander Suit.
A DISSATISFIED DEFENDANT.
Trials Of Two Italians for AL
legged Murder.

Some further Developments of rather an interes +
Sng character presented themselves in the continue
tion yesterday before Judge Lawrence. holding Su-
preme Court Circuit of the trial of the suit brought
by Mrs. Annie R. Ham against II. J. Sheffield and
jerome B. Fellows for $4,000 damages for alleged
Islander. As on the opening day the court room
was densely thronged. and the opposing counsel
Messrs Townsend and Weed appearing for the plain
till and Messrs Hatch and Van Allen for the defend
ants-had several lively tits during the days pro-
ceedings. Further witnesses were examined for the
defence. the first being ex-Deputy Sheriff Victor
Hugo Roth. He went to Mrs. Hams house to col
ect the Shers fee of $50 claimed to be due through
9 levy ON furniture in the house.
'swho owned the furniture?" Mr.. Townsend asked,
in the course of the ecross-examination.
ut turned out to belong to Mrs. Charlick."
''For what was the 500 fee chargedY'
Because man was placed in charge Of tho prop
erty."
"And you wanted to charge Mrs. Ham $50 for put
ting in charge of property belonging to some
body elsc?''
Ez-Judge Davies was among the Witnesses called
rented from him house in East Tenth street. and
that she owed him 81, 200 when she left.
she pay you s asked Nit aa 0oa
charge OF the leasng of the premises.
1--WE will see about this matter" said Mr. Towns
end, and he subsequently called the agent who
''Oh. yes" said the latter in the course Of his OK
animation, MRS. Ham did pay something"
'sWell, how much?''
'sShe gave up all her furniture and her silverware.
'.Yes." said Mr.. Townsend. with emphasis. this
poor woman, who they are trying to make out never
paid her bills, gave up everything and went out Of
the house with absolutely nothing in the world but
tho clothes on her back.
After some further unimportant testimony Mr..
Van Allen announced that tho defence rested their
May tell my story?" asked Mr.. shefaeld, one Of
the defendants rising to his feet from his chair be-
hind his counsel.
ssYou certainly have q right to be heard" replied
the Judge, land more particularly ii you think your
counsel has prematurely rested his case"
Mr. Sheffield then took the stand and his story,
It was in substance the story published in
yesterdays HERALD his defence-his belief that
when he sent the alleged slanderous telegram and
letter to Mrs. Charck that the facts stated in them
true. He said that he got his information from
Mr.. New, . former deputy sheriff, and from Mr..
Jerome b. Fellows, and that he communicated the
facts to Mrs. Charck. although perfect stranger to
him. out of regard for the interests Of that lady, and
as the house had been leased to Mrs. Ham through
his recommendation to Mrs. Charck's agent. He
was pretty severely catechised by Mr. Townsend.
During this questioning he stated that he had no
recollection OF the answer signed by him having been
read to him and had idea OF swearing to the
fact that the allegations made against Mrs. Ham In
the letter and telegram were true.
do you recollect anything your counsel told
your
IT remember being told to forget as much as I
could and keep within the boundaries of the truth.
''who gave that advice?" asked Mr. Van Allen.
''It neither you nor Mr.. Hatch but Mr.. Brown,
who. understood. was your former partner"
The Court adjourned earlier than usual to allow
Mr.. Townsend to put in rebutting testimony to-day
% to Mrs. Hams character. the witnesses he re-
quired not being in court.