Mexico weekly ledger., 1883-05-10
THE WHEATLEY-KEMPER SUIT.
Taking Of Dispositions Preparatory to
Bringing the Case Before the
Audrain Circuit Court.

Special Dispatch to the Globe Democrat.
MEXICO, Mo-, May G.--During the past
week several dispositions in theWheatley-
Kemper damage suit have been taken,
among them that of R. P. Ferguson, of
Kansas City, which is decidedly against
the plaintiff, and, if true, is very GRIM
mating to her. In few days W or
more witnesses will be placed upon the
stand to testify in rebuttal of ~Ferguson's
deposition. As a matter of course, great
interest is manifested in this case, and
the courtroom was filed with a certain
class of the curious, who occupied their
seats early and late, and who never let a
word pass unheeded. A constant attend
ant, also, during the taking of each dep
osition was the plaintiff, in company with
her father, who sat complacently by the
side of her attorneys, never taking her
eyes off of the witness, her facial features
seldom changing. Albeit some portions
of the evidence were extremely out OF
place in the presence of a lady, apparent
ly no notice in the least was given by the
young girl to the illusions made to her
character, with the exception of IN oc-
casional angry fash of the eye, which
in a moment was replaced by that same
self = satisfied look of complacency
Miss Wheatley, who, it may be here re-
marked, has a case in the Circuit Court
against VIM. Kemper, or "Dutch Bill, the
buthcher," for $4,000 for SANDER in
vILLIFYING HER GOOD NAME,
is a somewhat pretty brunette, about II
years of age, with petite figure, and alto
gether a very pleasant appearing person
age. She is of poor parentage, has serve'
in the capacity of waiter girl at various
places about town, and has always born
a good reputation. William Kemper, tn
defendant, is a clever German butcher
q hard worker, and has accumulate
what worldly goods he has in our midst
having arrived here direct from his nativ
land. His wife, a pleasant German lady
who stays in the shop with him, he mar
ried after settling in this city, and 70
whom he sent back to the fatherland
the twain now having quite an interest
ing family of children. Should Mis-
Wheatly gain her suit, or any part of tn
+ sum for which she sues, she can recOve
|, damages, as defendant is worth consid
, cradle in excess of the amount nance
The case will be tried in the JUNE term c
= the Audrain Circuit Court, and alread
l it is attracting more than ordinary al
5 ~tention, from the fact that many people
= in fact, niDe-tenths of them--sfde wit
, the girl, and think that the epithets ar
piled to her by the defendant were utter
ed in anger and il an unguarded momen
Both sides are equally sanguine of gair
ing the case, and just at the present tin
s considerable speculation is rife as to no
e the matter will end. As the differel
n acts appear the plot thickens, and ere IL
case is disposed of, it is feared that mai
a hydra-headed monster will make its az
pearance in heretofore peaceful hous'
holds and families, whether justly or n
remains to be seen. 1t is a great phi
that suits of this character must be Sc
"a tied in the public courts, for whether
not the woman in the case be innocent
guilty, an impression is left on the mil
y Of a portion of the public that can new
be shaken off. Two more suits su
passing this in the sensational will al.
i be tried at the same term of court, b,
sides an unusual number of divorce cas-
--about 25 in all.