The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-13
A DAY IN THE COURTS.
JUDGE HaRDEN'S FIRST CASE BE-
FORE JUDGE MAC DONELL.

! A Suit for Insurance Money on a Fire
Resulting From the Burning Of the
Prendergest Laundry-Judge Speers
Decision In the Soap Injunction Case
! While Watts, the Youthful Jesse
James, to be Tried To-day.
Yesterday Judge Harden made his maiden
speech. since his retirement from the bench,
before jury in the court over which he so
long presided. He won his case. II was
the 1895 damage suit of Edward J. Kieffer
against c. A. Reitzs.
| The suit is the result Of the Prendergsst
laundry fire of Oct. % last, which caused the
| burning of Mr. Kieffer's out house, together
with its contents, consisting of sewing
machines, harness. feed, etc. c. G. Falli-
CANT, a solicitor for Mr.. Reitza, called upon
Mr.. Kielfer Get. 25 and requested him 20
give insurance on some of his property. Mr..
Kieffer told Mr.. Falligant he could take a
risk for 1926 on his out house which was &C
cepted by the solicitor and a memorandum
taken. Mr.. KiefRsr heard nothing more of
the insurance matter until the day after the
fire, when he received a notice
thai his application had been re-
fused. Mr.. Kieffer claimed that
he had entered into a contract
with Mr.. Falligant for the insurance and
denied the right Of Agent Reitze TO refuse
the application after the fire He believed
1t to be an attempt to avoid the payment Of
the loss and he demanded that it be honored.
This Was refused aud suit resulted.
The case occupied the attention Of the
court all morning. Mr.. Reitze denied the
right Of the solicitor TO guarantee insurance.
He only bad the right to submit the applica-
ton to the company.
The jury took different view, however,
as after a half hours elaboration a verdict
for the full amount for the plaintiff was
rendered. George w. Owens, ESQ, repre-
sented Dir. Reitze Mr.. Kieffer was repre-
sented by Harden, West & McLaws.
Yesterday was day of pleas In the supe-
rior court, five negro criminals pleading
guilty to the charges against them.
William Jones acknowledged the theft OF
a COW from M. Walsh March Is, and was
sentenced to three years in the penitentiary.
George Simpson pleaded guilty TO burg
lariziny Ben Bakers house March II. He
got 5-years' sentence. He is the negro
who robbed q number OF houses in the
southern part of the city by means of false
keys.
George Sans pleaded guilty 10 the charge
of assault with intent to murder William
Jones with a razor Feb. "a, aud was SEN
fenced to three years in the penitentiary.
Henry Middleton, the toeless house burg
lar who committed his crimes by forcing
entrances by way OF the fire hearths
pleaded guilty and WAS sent up for three
years.
Lawrence Brown pleaded guilty to carry
ing concealed weapons and was fined $50
and costs or six months on the chain gang.
The Cunningham-Stone case in the SUI
perior court, an account Of which appeared
ia yesterdays MORNING NEWS, continued
until last night The jury returned a
verdict for the plaintiff for $3.50. one-half
the amount sued for. which was all Mr..
O'Byrne argued for, as he admitted the
children represented by DR.. Stone we're en-
titled to the other halt.
In the libel suit of Pendelton Symons
against the steam tug Nellie Brown for
seamen's wages In the United States court,
Judge Speer yesterday rendered a decree
in favor of the lioelant.
Judge Speer yesterday rendered his de-
| cision in the demurrer of the Savannah
Soap Works against Armstrong & Cos, in
| junction, Diminishing the demurrer and
ordering the injunction to stand.
The damage suit of Sam Jenkins against
the Savannah, Florida and Western railway
was begun in the city court yesterday after
noon. Several months ago Jenkins, while
running a gearing and boring machine in
the shops, was injured by the auger in the
back. He wants $1,000 for his injuries.
Jacob Gazan, Esq, represents Jenkins and
Erwin, duBignon & Chisholm are looking
after the interests of the railway.
The trial of Willie Watts, the young car
robber, an account of whose criminal life
as related by himself appeared in the
| MORNING News several months ago, will
begin to-day in the superior court. II. E.
Wilson. Esq, will defend Watts.