Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-06-20
vOss-O'BRIEE
The Girls Character INDICATED.

"Wc find for the plaintiff and fix
the damages at 5000" was the verdict
of the jury after seventeen minutes
deliberation on yesterday afternoon
near sunset, in the case of lizzie Voss
against JAS. j. 0'Brien before special
Judge Flippin, in the Circuit Court
of Shelby county, The suit was Of
a civil character, and the damages
applied for was $4,000, on a charge Of
seduction. 1t is understood that the
jury were unanimous for the plain
tiff, and this was disclosed by
by a ballot being taken without
discussing the case in any form as
the jury retired to their consultation
room. Being Of one mind upon this
point, the only question was the
amount of damages to be assessed.
Some favored the full amount sued
for, but after a short conference it
was agreed to show O'Brien and the
public that no malice or feeling was
entertained, by reducing the amount
to $1,000. 1t might as well have been
5000 cents as far as practical results
are expected, but it was a v~indication
of the chastity Of the young lady pre-
vious to her acquaintance with, and a
recognition Of the great wrong in
Aicted upon her by, the defendant.
In spite of the strenuous efforts
of as able counsel as are in the State,
0'Brien was defeated in the case.
During a powerful appeal in his be-
half, Mr.. Fowlkes told the jury
0'Brien would go forth with a brand
upon his brow to make him unfit for
the association of all good men, and
to be known only as a p%erjured villain
if they should find against him, yet the
twelve upright men were solid in the
opinion hat lO'Brien had committed
the heinous wrong upon the vic
tim of his wiles, and their
verdict was in accordance with
their opinion. The verdict will
meet the appreciation of every person
familiar with the circumstances, and
who heard the testimony offered in
court. 0'Brien was unable to bring
forward a single witness whereby he
could cast the slightest imputation
upon the young lady during her career,
except SO far as she was dcbauched by
himself. On the contrary her testi
mony was corroborated by numerous
witnesses, while all connecting cir
cumstances were in her favor. Her
conduct during the trial was modest
and ladylike in every respect, and all
hearts turned toward her in sympathy
The jury believed that she told
the truth without deviation, and while
her relation of the sad occurrence
was, as Judge Flippin said, as oppo-
site as the poles to the statement OF
O'Brien, yet the latter was, in the
language of his attorney, sent forth as
a "perjured villain"
In his closing remarks, Mr.. Frayser,
the plaintiff counsel, said "Out
upon such laws as ours, that will per
NIT "a man to perpetrate so foul a
wrong. to blight the young life of a
woman by so heinous a crime as had
been suffered by Miss Yoss, and then
only redress her wrongs by a paltry
verdict for money. All the money
in the universe would fail
to afford solace or reimburse
her for what she has lost, the shame
placed upon her, and to overshadow
the remainder of her life with a bur.
den too grievous for so fraii a human
being to bear" Mr.. Frayser labored
earnestly in the cause of the girl, and
though he had the stronger side, yet
when pitted against powerful and in
g%enious attorneys such as are Luke i
Wright and W. c. Folkes, it was
thought he would encounter almost
insurmountable difficulties. He, how.
ever, exhibited tact, skill and ability
in the cause he espoused.
1t has been remarked that the Voss-
0'Bfien trial has exhibited fewer
Geatures'of scandal and filth than any
case Of the kind known in the annals
of our court trials. Save that 0'Brien
attempted to befoul the girls previous
good name, and the act he has been
found guilty Of perpetrating, no filth
was ventilated during the case, yet it
was one Of the most interesting trials
ever in the courts, as the public in
terest it aroused testifes.
The poor ruined girl, with her two
months old boy, the very image of
0'Brien, sat quietly in the court. room
during the afternoon, aud she excited
much sympathy among the spectators
by her g%euteel aud lady-liko deport-
ment, as we'll as her forlorn and help
less situation. While the jury we're
outside arriving at a conclusion Of the
case, she sat with the same apparent
q%uietness. When the verdict was an
nouIced she arose from her chair and