The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-05-12
THE COURTS.
Supreme Court.

handed down by the Supreme Court at Mt
Vernon, which reached the office Of the clerk
of the Supreme Court on the accommodation
on Tuesday evening, was one which efectu'
ally blasts the hopes Of Adam Ochs, Michael
Leyden, John Il Van Pelt, Michael Wasser-
man, Harry A. Vamell, and the two men at
Joliet. alas the "Chicago Boodlers." The
opinion is written by Chief Justice Sheldon,
and occupies y pages of closely written
legal cap, containing from 5000 to ~ ooo
words and aiii rms the decision Of the Cook
County Circuit Court, in refusing the men a
new trial. They we're tried upon an indict'
ment for Conspiracy in defrauding Cook
County out of thousands Of dollars, by
selling county contracts to whosoever would
give the larger percentage to the gang y
of Commissioners. The application for q
new trial was denied in October. An appeal
to the Appellate Court ended in the afiirms-
ton Of the decision in February, and now 1t
is finally decided that the men must go to
Joliet.
The case of the Widow Dougherty against
the c. b. & @ Road, to recover damages for
the killing of her husband at the crossing on
the Dayton Road several years ago, was
affirmed, securing IS 600 verdict of the last
trial Of the case in the Circuit Court. The
case is 80 familiar 10 all readers Of Ottawa
papers, that a repeat is unnecessary. Suf-
fcient to say, it was tried first before Judge
Stipp, securing the Widow verdict OF
81, 800. The company appealed, and the
appellate revered the decision. 1t was then
tried before Judge Blanchard, on charge
of venue, and verdict Of $1,000 rendered.
An appeal resulted in an affirmation by the
Appellate Court, bat the Supreme Court
reversed and remanded the case for re
hearing. On charge Of venue to Judge
McRoberts, the case was delayed until his
death, when it was tried before Judge Dibell,
the company failing to secure change to
another county, and the same amount 50 900
was given. An appeal to the Appellate
Court. met an affirmation, rs did also that to
the Supreme. The court devoies page and
half to each of the subj ecis, change of venue,
Jury challenges, and the liability of the
company. The plaintiff, Ohe q claimed
that the court erred in compelling the plan
tiff to premptorily challenge a jury, who
had heard of the case, although he had not
formed an opinion. The court holds that
this is not sufficient cause for challenge,
NJ the mere fact Of the jurors having heard
Of the case did not disqualify him. On the
question of change of venue, the plaintiff
alleged that the court erred in not allowing
change to another county, but the Supreme
Court says that where there are three Cir
cult Judges in circuit, change Of venue
cannot be taken outside the county unless
all three judges may reasonably be charged
with prejudice. AS to the liability Of the
company, the court holds that the company
is required by the statutes to give protection
to life and property, anu that the CLAIM OF
plaintiff that the Circuit Court erred in
allowing Mrs Dougherty to show that no
Aagmsn WAS stationed at the crossing, in
erroneous, thus virtually deciding that the
whistle and bell are insufficient protection
to the public, and ordering the flag or the
gate.
The cases of Everingham vs. the Nat. City
Bank, the Coal Run Coal Co. vs. Finlen and
Rowland vs. the Town Of Marselles are also
affirmed. This gives Rowland judgement
of over $1,000 against the Town Of Mar,
settles, the County Clerk 800 taxes on the
Coal Run Co.'S property and Everingham a
verdict against the Bank.
Circuit Court.
Lawson A. Winslow vs. Ralph Gridley.
Dismissed.
Ella Pearson Va Jeseph M Pearson In