Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-03-12
$1,000 DAMAGES.
The cotton.R enshaw Slander Suit.

One of the most important cases on
the civil docket this term was the
Cotton-Renshaw SANDER suit, which
came up for trial Tuesday. The
plaintiff, Aurinda Ann Cotton, being
under age brought suit by her father,
Fin E. Cotton, as her next friend,
against John Renshaw and So
phronia Renshaw, his wife, for
$4,000 damages. The suit was
based upon remark made by Mrs.
Renshaw in March 1885 in the pres
ence of several parties which reflect
ed upon the chastity and virtue of
Kinda Ann Cotton. The plaintiff
stated in her. pleadings that she had
always borne good character and
that the defendant willfully, mali
ciously and wickedly, continuing
and intending TO injure her reputa-
ton, uttered words that damaged
her character to the extent of SIC, 600.
Her husband, Jno. Eenshaw, was
charged with being party to the
offense imputed by Mrs. Renshaw's
language. The defendants entered a
general denial and also a justification
clause, but at the last term of Court
the Judge ruled out the last and is
sue was joined OH the denial clause.
No testimony as to character was adj
mitted Oh either side and the evil
dence of only such persons as heard
the offensive words spoken was intro
duced.
The following jury was empaneled
to try the case: A. L. Carter, G. II.
Cayce, G. A. McCarroll, Alex Walk
er, NJ. L. Christian, G. IL. Major, w.
S. Moore, j. L. Brame, E. A. Stowe,
Joe Luck, col, Sam Hawkins, COL,
Tobe Gardner, col.
Aurinda Ann Cotton was intro
duced first. She merely stated her
age and residence and that she was
the plaintiff in the case. She is 20
years old this month and is large,
buxom girl, with square features,
blue eyes and a face that is rather
striking in its lack Of beauty. She
was neatly attired and answered the
questions in a very modest manner.
Her father was next placed upon the
stand. lie said he lived on McFai.
lands creek, three miles northeast of
Crofton. where he was raised and |
had lived all his life. lie was rath-
er small man with a bald head,
yellowish hair and a yellow beard
some three inches long. He wore no |
beard around his mouth and looked
to be about so years of age. In ad-
dition TO corroboraiing his daughters |
testimony he stated that Renshaw |
lived about half a mile from his
house and that he was well acquaiLt-
ed with him and his wife. Renshaw
sat by his lawyers and grew rather
restless during the proceedings. lie
was a tall, rather good-looking young
man with light hair, moustache and
burnsides and blue eyes. He is
about 2S years old. His wife sat
near by with a young child in her
arms.
The principal witnesses were Mrs.
Sallie Matheney, Mrs. Hefliin and
Mrs. james Renshaw, who detailed
the conversation of Mrs. Renshaw,
the plaintiff. The last named wit
ness was the wife of Jno. Renshaw's |
brother and was very much embar-
raised by the pointed questions OF
the lawyers upon what was necessa-
rily a very delicate subject. The
defense introduced no witnesses.
Esq. w. Ii. Cato made the first
speech for the defense and he was
followed by Mr.. E. P. Campbell. Col.
L. A. Sypert closed the argument for
ltenshaw aud the further considera-
lion of the case was postponed until
Wednesday morning when Mr.. II.
w. uenry made forcible appeal
which occupied nearly an hour and
\ half. He handled the case in
very able manner and his peroration,
an appeal in behalf of the good name
Of his client, was an especially credi-
table effort. The jury was out an
hour and returned a verdict giving
the plaintiff 81 900. This was rather
a surprise. While everybody ex-
pected verdict for a small amount
no one was expecting so large sum.
Mr.. Cotton was highly pleased with
the result, although it was very
doubtful if the amount could be
made out of the defendant. 1t is
understood that an appeal will DO
Laken.