The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-10-03
SHE WINS THE CASE.
The Jury In the Breach of Promise
Case Award the Fair Plaintiff
$1,000, all she Asked f0r---
How the Verdict is Re-
garded by the Inter-
ested Parties.

| S"AuOu Wy thC AhtUA
ested Parties.
The breach of promise and seduction
case of Georgiana Taggart VS. Worthing-
ton Cain, which had been ON trial for
three days in the circuit court, was given
to the jury at $40 last evening.
The case had been stubbornly fought
by the opposing counsel from the begin
ming to the end. The summing up of the
attorneys yesterday was listened to by a
large audience. Both Messrs. Sweeney
and Gest made eloquent pleas in behalf
of the defendant whom they characterized
victim of persecution by woman who
had seduced him and by the exercises of
her wilesl was attempting species of
blackmail upon him. John T. Ken>
worthy made the opening speech for the
plaintiff 1t was fine arraignment of
the facts elected by the evidence. Then
come Major Beardsley for the close. His
address to the jury was impassioned, elo-
quent and at times extremely bitter. He
reviewed the evidence in the case, and
then took up the career of the plaintiff.
He drew a vivid picture of her as pure
and simple country girl before the tempt
er came. And afterward when she was
the affianced wife of the defendant the
major dwelttouchingly upon her struggles
to preserve her virtue, and the cool and
calculating methods of the defendant to
gain his purpose and ruin the girl. Then
he talked of her shattered system, and
the disgrace and misery; the blighted
hopes and despair into which the girl had
been thrown by the action ''of this per
jured villain, of this thief, and liar, who
prostituted the house of family
who had always treated him
like son, and debauched the Jewel of
the family" roared the major, shaking
his fist in the direction of the defendant
The jury was out about half hour.
The first ballot taken was as to the guilt
or innocence of the defendant. He was
found to be guilty by a unanimous vote.
Then began the balloting 10 fix his pun>
ishment. The first ballot showed ten for
the full amount, $1,000, one for 80, 900,
and the other for 50. 500. The second
showed eleven for 5000, and one for
s., 800, and the third ballot resulted in a
unanimous verdict for 5000. The jury
took into consideration the fact that the
girl had been ruined fer all time, and that
money could never repair the damages
done her character.
Worthington Cain, the defendant in
the case, was seen by reporter shortly
after the case had gone to the jury.
What do you think of your chances
with the jury"
ooh, l think the jury will find for me.
| cannot see how it can do otherwise if it
considers the testimony. The plaintiff
impeached herself by testifying to two
different stories, one at Port Byron and
the other here"
How long have you known herr"
Il first met her when | was chunk OF
boy. was introduced to her then, but
did not see her for some time afterward-
several years. then met her at a dance
and have known her ever since.
When the jury had returned its verdict
a gentleman approached the Gains, the
old gentleman and his two sons, at the
Commercial hotel, and told them of the
result. They were greatly surprised and
as the full force of the verdict dawned
upon them they felt very badly.
What do you think of the verdict2'
was asked Cain.
Il can't see how they reached such a
conclusion" said he.
What do you propose to do about it,
"Well, they have the verdict, but they
haven't got the judgment yet, have no
money with which to pay this $1,000 so
how are they going to get it,"
1t is understood that Mr. Cain is he'll
to considerable property.
At the Rock Island house where Miss
Taggert is stopping, the scene on receipt
of the verdict of the jury was, of course
just the opposite of the scene at the Com
mercial hotel where the Messrs. Cain were
located. Miss Taggert gave way to tears
of joy when she learned that the case had
been decided in her favor. She received
the congratulations of her friends who
were present, and Major Beardsley fell
extremely happy over the matter.
| The parties all left for their several
homes this morning on the Sterling train
Besides the 5000 there is big bill OF
costs in this case, as some thirty witnesses
were examined, all from the upper part
of the county. The Hon. Charles Dun
ham, of Geneseo, was to have appeared
in the case in behalf of the defendant, but
he was unable to be here because of othel
pressing matters. Thus has ended for the
present at least, case which has created
widespread interest in the upper part Of
Rock Island county.
County Bullding