Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-10-21
sMITH-BILLSON.
A Disappointed Crowd Of BaId-Hesded
Observation-Disclosures of Long and Hot
Contest-The Parties, Their Attorneys
and the Jury.

a Disappointed Crowd of BaId-Headed
Observation-Disclosures of a Long and Hot
Contest-The Parties, Their Attorneys
and the Jury. T
There was gathering Of bald heads, ca
pacious pounches and apopletic faces at the dis
trict court yesterday afternoon, which added
dignity to the surroundings and made the
scene look quite Pickwickian. The occasion
was one of the kind that always brings the old
boys to the front, whether to watch and ad-
miro the pretty soubrette as she capered gaily
before the footlights in representations of the
spectacular, not TO say muscular drama, or to
gather up the sweet morsels of scandal az they
drop from the lips of witnesses in sensation
al suit for damage case.
The case alluded to is that of Victoria Smith
against Mr.. w. w. Billson, in which action is
brought for $4,000 damages alleged to have
been sustained by plaintiff as the victim to an
indecent assault.
The case was called at $50 o'clock. and two
hours and half were exhausted in impanel.
ing twelve good men and true to try the action.
The surroundings, indeed, wildly recalled
the clrcu instances of the famous 6ction OF
Bardell against Pickwick.
There were present the injured female, who
doesn't look injured at all, but who is a 70.
tund. rosy looking dsmsel of twenty-five ripe
cuHiiuC1os CuC udS plhCk ualI, q DfO80, full
face, comely and well developed form and 8
countenance that is indicative of pleasant stu.
pidity. Along side of the plaintiff sits with
the air of an avenging nemesis the robust and
rather good looking woman, Mrs. Suell, man.
ager of the female employment bureau on
franklin street. Her restless eye. flushed face
and eager attention to every detail of the pro.
ceedings show that she is deeply interested and
the uniformed stranger would readily think
that she was the plaintiff
On the same row of seats are two other
young women, evidently witnesses in the case.
and all friends of Miss Smith.
The counsel are Mr.. Jones of Minneapolis
and Mr.. Wilde of st. Paul, for plaintiff, ano
ex-Gov. Davis and Mr.. 81. j. Horn for the de
fendaut.
The public are so familiar with the case thai
only brief attention to the general charge il
necessary. The plaintiff is domestic and wa,
formerly in the employ of Mr.. Billson, at hi
| residence in this ,ity.
On the 18th of last August Mr.. Billson re-
turned from Lake Minnetonkawhere his famil,
had been spending the summer. The city
residence is located on Dayton avenue, ano
while the family were absent it was in charge
of Miss Smith. On the evening of his return
he visited the house, and during the night it il
alleged by plaintiff that he visited her room
and attempted to take unwarranted liberties
| with her person. 1t is not asserted that an,
purpose was accomplished. She claims to have
been damaged to the extent of 5000.
The case will be strongly, if not bitterly
contested, as shown by the animus of the law
yers in selecting a jury. Mr.. Jones, for tn.
plaintiff. insisted on challenging all the juror.
for cause and many of them were excused on {
peremptory challenge. Over dozen excep
lions were made and it took nearly three hours
to get jury. Among the questions put by
MIR. Jones to one of the jurors was if he kept .
mistress. This juror, whois a reputable mar
RED man aad well known citizen, repealed the
insinuation and the question was considered
pretty tough.
After long and tedious squabbls the fol
lowing were accepted as the jury:
Frank 81. Merrill, Frances a. Schaefer, T
b. Marrett, John P. Libby, Joseph M. Minor
Thos. 81. Steenstra, B. Baker F. B. Bass, VIM
West, Geo. W. Lamb. John J. Williams. anc
8. Thornberry.
Court adjourned until 10 o'clock this morn
inn