Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-12-07
THE GARTH-ARNoLD CASE.
Miss Garth Gets $1,000 Damages.

The celebrated SANDER suit of Miss
Mollie Garth against Miss Lulu NJ.
Arnold, for $4,000 damages, was
tried at Elkton last week. Judge
Jas. A. Mitchell, Of Bowling Green,
presided as special judge. The plain
tiff was represented by Perkins &
Russell, Jno. Young Brown and e.
G. Sebree, and the defendant by Pc
trie Il Bristow, Browder & Edwards
and Il. W. Henry. The issue was
Joined upon the question whether
the statement made by Miss Arnold
that she believed Miss Garth stole her
money was made with malice.
The jury was made up without
much difficulty and the taking of tes-
timony was begun Friday afternoon,
the court deciding that the burden of
proof was on the defense.
Miss Lula M. Arnold, the defend
ant, was the first witness introduced.
She testified that she lived at Tren-
ton, Ky, with her parents, brother
and sister and taught school and kept
a boarding house. Had 5000 and 500
note stolen from her trunk August
7th, 1885, which was in her room up
stairs. She stated publicly that she
believed Miss Mollie Garth, a former
pupil, stole the money and commit
tee of the young lady's friends wait
ed on her Dec. 18th TO ask about it.
Witness testified as follows:
"Mrs. Sebree commenced by saying
that she and Mrs. Garth had heard
that l said Mollie Garth had taken
money, and that they wished to hear
what grounds / had for thinking SO.
| commenced by saying that 1 remem.
bered noticing the money that morn
ing. Iput the money in hat box of
trunk. Was in room several times.
We had no visitors that morning.
Miss Georgia Quslls came in and sat
In the hall. Had little girl, Sallie.
told the little girl, Sallie, to go up
to the school room and she would
fluid playthings TO amuse herself. She
went and we all saw her; she went
around as she was accustomed to 20
to school room. The hall above is 90
situated as 10 enable any one below
TO plainly hear any one crossing it. |
The first bell for supper rang. We
have two bells for meals about half
an hour or forty minutes apart. Miss
Mollie Garth came in. left hall and |
went into dining room. Worked |
awhile In dining room. / went to |
to door and asked, Where is Mollie p
Mother said she had gone up stairs.
Then brought In the milk aud ice, ] |
went back TO ask for Mollie. l heard
steps; was sure heard steps above
was sure 1t was Mollie's step, as
was accustomed to hear it. l went
back TO dining room. Never thought
anything. Then afterwards went
back to door. Asked again of sister.
Sister heard noise of steps. She said
"What is Mollie Garth doing in your
room" She did not come down
steps but went around, saw her al
front door. She looked embarrassed,
but said, ~ have been hunting my
books" 1 said they are just where
you left them. She said, twill you
go with me ?" ! looked at her a mo-
ment. l went TO room with her, she
stood on one side of the desk. / said
you have been here before. She said,
IL have been at Mrs. Crunk's. | look
ed at her basket; she said, will not
carry the basket this evening. said
you had better you have buggy.
She looked pale. / went to door with
her; directed negro boy to help her.
She went back to get gossamer, but
could not find her own; 1 told her to
take any she pleased. She came back.
Said she was going TO nopkinsville
to school. l said, you had better 20
TO me. | said, do not take Pearl. l
kissed her when she left. l went to
dining room, heard second bell, boy
came In. After eating I went to as
sist father. Not feeling we'll soon
went up stairs, locked door, went to
trunk. Did not find money, was sur
p1sed, looked around room for It.
Money was gone. Sister went over
to see Mrs. Qualls. Mrs. Qualls said
she would search Sallie's things. We
went to Mrs. Garth's; sister led the
conversation. She said, Mrs. Garth,
we have lost all the money we have
except 30 cents. We have been over
to see Mrs. Qualls, who told us she
would search Sallie's things, or we
might. We have seen all that was in
that part of the building or hall ex-
cept Miss Mollie. Mrs. Garth said
she had lost jew slry of late, that there
seemed to be witches about. said,
there are no witches at our house. l
described the pocket book and con-
tents to her. Miss Mollie said, did
you have money marked; did you
know the number of those bills? l
said no. Mollie went with me to gate.
She said, l don't think you will get
that money, your house is so open. L
said, Miss Mollie, did you go to my
room, were you in the room next to
that room ? She said no. Mrs. Banks
turned TO me and said, then you be-
lieve Mollie stolet the money? said,
| do. She left the room. went to
Mrs. Garth and said, you know Mol