Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-12-14
$4,000 LIBEL SUIT,

Dr.. fTdtcard b. Tier Snes Joseph r. H0fin
For Advertising him knoDg the Dead
Beats Published IN "fhe Aarertsser."t ).
Last month there app cared in this city pub
LEGATION called ''The st. Paul and Minneapolis
ADVERTISER which is alleged to be issued under
the auspices and IN the interest of the merchants
OF both cities and whose object is to publish the
names of delinquent debtors and thus shame
them into paying their bills In the current
number of this blackmailing sheet can be seen
upward of 4c0 names of per.ors
resident in the dual cities with the
address and amount of bill following the re-
spectTe ra!nes. In the same issue is letter
addressed 10 the mayor of Mnneap ills, draw
ing his attention to the matter of dead beating''
among city employees and among the police
force IN particular. There is also ''Want col
unn'' in which the following appears:
bill''
Tbs disciple of Esculapius has become SO in
dlgnant over the publicity given him that he
yesterday went to the district court and
filed an action for damages in the sum of sl0,-
0O0 against Joseph r. Hoflin, the druggist who
caused said advertisement to be inserte1 The
doctor says in his iuplaint that he has been
pTactlclng physician and surgeon iu this city for
the past three years, and that The object of IL
Helm IN advertising him in this manner IS to
convey tn impression that he is an abscOnd ng
debtor; that ne is dishonest and not eutitled 10
the confidence and respect of the
cor munity; that such publication is calculated
to lnjure him in his reputation, character,
standing and prospects III life; and that it holds
tlm up t. public rldIcule aid scorn. He further
alleges hat the defendant caused the published
slip to be pasted upon postal card and mailed
TO young unmarried lady of this city, in care
of her father. He is engaged to be married to
an estimable young lady who is the accomplish
ed daughter of one of our prominent citizens.
Last evening GLOBE representative YVES de-
tailed to interview Mr.. Hofin in relation to the
case. He found the gentleman in his store and
learned that he claims Dr.. Zier owes him bill
of $40. 35. He produced his ledger which shows
that the doctor owes $ll % for about TWO years
and 1918 for q shorter period. The former
amount Is balance about which there was dis
pute in the settlement and the other bill was
contracted with the understanding that it was
FOR another physician who would be responsible
for its payment, but who refused to pay the
bill on the ground that DR..
Tier was not authorized by him to get the
goods, ard that ne used them in his own prac-
tice.
Did you cause the advertisement to be in
serted!" asked the reporter.
Yes, but not to recover payment of this ac-
count, but of another bill he had incurred IN the
Security drug store, Of the corner of First ave
nue. south gnd Third street. That drug STORE
was established by me, and before know it Dr.
Zier had run bill Of 81 80. l ordered the clerks
to give him no more credit. Since advertising
him ke paid the 81 81 through a. G. Aorrison.''
Did you address the postal cars with the
slip attached to his affianced in care of her
father?''
'1No, sir, and knew rothing of the matter ur-
til l was Informed of it yesterday by Dr. Quinn
by. After the payment of the 81. So L told H. p
Smith, the editor of the Advertiser, to snit the
DOCTORS name from the delinquent list, and as
Tor the balance on my books here, was willing
TO charge 1t to suspense account or to profit
ana loss,' and dun him no more for it,
"You are aware, Mr.. Hofin, that he is engaged
to be married to the young lady in question"
Yes, L have seen it in the papers, but guess
that makes no material difference with her, as
saw her with him yesterday"
The reporter then proceeded to the DOCTORS |
OH ce to get hisversion of the affair, but he was
out. visit was next paid to II. P. Smith, the |
editor OF this obnoxious sheet. In answer to |
questions asked he denied all knowledge of the |
postal card, and pasted slip being sent throo Oh
the mail. He showed the reporter the en-
velopes used in sending dunhing letters, and |
among them was one with the cut of an old |
Irish woman, who was represented in stand |
ing attitude, with uplifted hand, with these |
words underneath: "I'u have my money, be- |
jabers l willr'
M Smith, said the reporter, ''are you not |
afraid of carlcaturing the Irish in
tbs fashion? They are very sensitive in |
matters of this kind and they will likely boycott
you. Why did you hit upon an old Irisnwoman |
in preference to Dutch, Norwegian, American or |
other nationLity?''
swell, don't know; thought it was more |
appropriate"
Cara you afraid, Mr.. Smith, of finding your
carcass on the sidewalk tome morning If you |
continue publishing such sheet as thisf''
Why, are there any threats being mades''
Indeed there are, and you had better be on |
your guard"
This seemed to produce perturbation in the |
mind of ''ye editor which was reflected in his |
countenance. He said he would not use uny |
more envelopes with the old Irish lady on but he |
had good backing in the merchants of tt e two |
cities who would protect him from the wrath of |
those w. ose names are publ shed in his monthly |
sheet. With this the reporter withdrew.