Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-06-19
vOss-o'BRIEN.
Progress Of the Case Yesterday and To-
Day.

Noss against JAS. j. O'Brien, it being
r a suit for five thousand dollars dam
: : ages, on a charge Of seduction and
bastardy, was closed in the Circuit
Court yesterday afternoon before
Special Judge Flippin. The counsel
for Miss Voss, Colonel Frayser, ad-
dressed the jury in behalf Of the
girl, and he was followed with an
ingenious argument for 0'Brien BY
General Luke 4. Wright. Among
other points dwelt upon by the latter,
was that he did not believe that Miss
Voss would have fred her pistol tho
day before, when the dramatic Incl
dent transpired, which has been pre-
viOusly described. 1t may be stated
without fear of contradiction by
Others present, even Judge Flippin,
on the bench, as well as 0'Brien, in
the witness box, hat General
Wright's expressed opinion win not
be indorsed on this point. The
rapid movements of those named, to-
gether with the quick action of others
near, is strong testimony in favor Of
the belief that she meant business
with powder and ball, and the general
sentiment is also to the effect that no
jury in this community would have
harmed a hair of her head if she had
succeeded in her aim. To Deputy
Sheriff Mason alone does 0'Brien at
present owe the fact that he is not
dead or crippled, according to the
belief of many who witnessed the
sensational and unusual scene in the
courtroom on Tuesday afternoon.
While on the subject it may be well
to refer slightly to General Wright's
excoriation of the newspapers. II
they should retaliate in kind, as they
could readily do, it might cause the
general to feel cross. It will, how.
ever, be sufficient to say that the case,
in all Of its bearings, is one of the
most fragrant and outrageous that has
been tried in our courts for a twelfth
month, and the newspapers are only
rejecting general public sentiment in
saying SO. General Wright occupies
a rather peculiar position in the case,
and is hardly able to give an unbiased
expression, as he is employed to
work z~ealously and with his best
ability to defend his client.
The newspaper reporters are not
interested in the slightest degree one
way or the other, hence are better
able to give vent to opinions worth
bordering over. A few years ago
General Wright represented the oppo,
site side of a case wherein newspa.
pers we're criticised and he few to
their defense, making a glowing speech
to the court in their behalf. 1t is the
other OK that is now gored. In the
meantime the journalist pursues his
course and gives the current news Of
the day, while General Wright
does his best to carr his fec. Both
are perfectly independent OF, each
other, though doubtless each are sen
sible to each others influences.
Miss Lizzie VoSs had her ~illegiti.
mate offspring in her arms yesterday
while she was in the courtroom. The
infant has a ford complexion and
sandy hair. 1t bears a striking re
semblance to the alleged father, and,
as far as appearances go, the latter
shows up in anything but an enyiable
light. The most strenuous efforts
have been made in his behalf, both By
his own exertiOns and that of Others.
but 50 far no shadow has been cast
upon the girls character previous ta
OBrien's association with her.
O'Brien tried to blacken the girl
name By talk on the streets aud other
wise, and even his counsel. previous 10
the trial, stated that they expected to
show up a case Of blackmail,
and an attempt to throw the odium Of
unwedded paternity on 0'Brien, when
another was really the guilty party.
Not single circumstance has been
disclosed, however, during the pro
gress Of the trial to cause a doubt in
the minds Of unprejudiced people but
that the girl had led an exemplary
life previous to the time she was de.
bauched by the mar who now repu
dates all knowledge Of her. Those
who knew Miss Yoss when she resided
at fernando, as well as all who have
known her in this city, are Of one
opinion, and that is that she was
chaste and free from faint until she
fell through the evil influences and
persuasive efforts Of 0'Brien.
To-DAY's PROCEEDINGS
developed nothing Of public interest.
The dry arguments Of the attorneys
failed to draw 50 great a crowd to the
courtroom as assembled during the
progress Of the trial when testimony
likely to be seandalous or SEN
%sational was offered. The injured
young woman failed to appear in