Daily Republican., 1882-02-21
A VERDICT FOB $4,000.
The Suit OF . YOUNG woman
Against the Family Physician.

AnO Ouht Vh "VaAs~As
Against the Family Physlctan.
A dispatch from Ottawa, Ill.,, says
that In October, 1889, Miss Fannie l..
Cavalry, then about 20 years old,
beautiful and accomplished, and high
ly respected rs the discreet daughter
of one Of the most prominent families
Of the State, on account Of some physi-
cal irregularity placed herself under
the care of DR.. j. H. Camp6eld, the
physician of her family and one Of the
eldest and best known practitioners Ia
that part of the State. She submitted
to an operation, taking ON the uoctor's
earnest advice an anDsthetic Of con-
siderable power. In the course of time,
her habits of life having been disar-
ranged, she az hin consulted DR.. Camp
field, who prescribed remedies. As
month after month passed without
relief to the girl, she went In the
srring of 1880, on the advice OF friends
and in desperation almost, to another
physician and stated her case to him.
He told her the truth. The revelation
came upon her with terrible force and
it was with great difficulty that she
could be Gained. The physician in de-
scribing the scene says it was the most
painful ever Witnessed by him in his
! years of practice.
On May 10, Miss Cavalry became a
mother. There was no attempt at con
cealment. The body of the child,
which died d few hours after birth,
WAS buried publicly. The mother,
with her returning strength, made
preparations to establish her innocence.
During the following summer suit
was instituted in her behalf against Dr..
James II. Campfied, charging in briet
that during ne of her visits to his Of
flee for treatment she had at his solicita-
ton, taken a glass of wine in which be
la placed a drug which rendered her
unconscious, and that during this time
he took ad vantage OF her helplessness.
The triat of the case was begun in the
Circuit Court of this county before
Judge Goodspeod two weeks ago, and
has absorbed the attention OF the people
for miles arouud. Among the witnesses
were many Of the most respectable men
and women Of the county besides every
physician of standing. The defence set
up general denial Of the complaint,
and the name ola young man named
Metcalf was mentioned, a resident Of
st. Louis. This was the only theory
advanced by the defence.
Mr.. Metcalf. who is a lawyer, and is
now married, was at one time engaged
to Miss Cavalry, but the botrothal Was
broken at the request OF the latter in
1878, &since which time they had not met
until one day during the trial young
Metcalf TO the astonishment of every
body, walked into the Courtroom, and
Introducing himself to the counsel for
the prosecution announced his rtadi-
ness to testify. AS his testifyiGg is
thought to have settled the case ia her
favor, aid as it shows the nature of the
charge made against her, 1t is herewith
given in a condensed form.
met Miss Cavalry first in Ottawa in
1877. returned in the fall, about three
months later, and called on her. The
next time came came to Ottawa was
in the spring of 1879, and sometime du-
ring that season we were engaged. l
correspondent with her. The last two
or three tim q | was here | stayed at
the house of Miss Cavalry at her eX-
press request. The last time l was
here was August 3rd, 1873. left on
the Sth Of that month and have not
seen Miss Cavalry since. Our engage
ment was broken OF by MissCavalry at
my last visit here 1t was not broken
off on account of any Improperly il
either of us. l always treated her in
every way as 4 gentleman should and
never knew her to do or say anyt,ing
in the least improper. We rode often,
but never late. My sister came here in
the spring Of 1878 to visit Miss Cavalry.
] was here tN days during that time.
and we rode one afternoon On The south
side of the river aid al got cut to gath
or ferns.
That is the only time we ever got out
Of the carriage. Neither in August nor
any other time did sit on the bank of
the river with my ms around Miss
Cavalry. l was not here during the
year 1879. The first heard OF the suit
was two years ago, but did not know
until last Sunday afternoon that my
name was in any way mixed up with
the affair. came here of my own free
will. felt that the charge against
Miss Cavalry was all outrage and ut.
terly false. came here from another
State to deny it, but if it had been ne.
cessary woulu have crossed the CONT
nent to do IL.
A remarkable fact in connection with
the case was the refusal Of DR.. Camp
field to go upon the stand. He had de-
MED the accusation lodged against
him in many public places but he was
not willing to do it under oath in the
Courtroom,in the presence oi Mis-, Cav
arly and her lawyers.
The ev tdence int reduced by the defense |
was mainly medical and consisted prin
cipally of opinions by physicians and
others AZ to the power and effects of GER |
tain anHsthetics. Arguments of counsel
were long, vehemenj and eloquent, !
and the Courtroom could not accomU-
date One-third of the people who daily |
presented themselves for adnittance.
The Judges charge to the jury was
ended at 4 o'clock in the afterno0 Il,
and five minutes after the door cos ed
on the jurors they returned with
verdict of guilty as to DIR. Campfeld,
and fixed Miss Cavsrly's damages at
$50, 900.
The scene that followed this an
was one seldom witnessed
in court of justice. The great crowd,
wild with joy and excitement, yelled
itself hoarse, and a moment later sur
rounded the Judge, the jury and the
attorneys for the prosecution and con.
graduated then all in the most bolster
Gus fashion. The Judge took Miss Cav
alry's hand in his and warmly congratu-
lated her on the result of the trial.
Miss Cavalry does not need the money
verdict, but she is overjoyed by the
moral victory which she has won. DR..
Campfeld was the family physician of
Miss Cavarly's grandparents, and is
very wealthy.
Five tons of odds and ends closed