The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-01-10
LAWSUITS AGAINST INSECTS.
Farmers Prayed That the Caterpillar
Might lie Held for Damages.

Farmers Prayed That the Caterpillars
Might lie Held for Damages.
In 1915 a vast number of caterpillars
appeared in the vineyards of ST. Ju-
lien, in Savoy, close to the city of Maui
rienne, where the bishop of the locality
resided.
These caterpillars were called verpil-
Ions, and they did frightful damage To
the owners of the vineyards. 1t seems
hardly credible, but an action Tor
damages was brought against the cater
pillars.
At first the case was referred to arbi-
tration. But, as this came to nothing,
the matter was in due course brought
before the official or ecclesiastical judge
of St Jean de Msurienne.
The heads of the villages, who were
the plaintiffs, had to appear by coun-
sci, and two brothers, learned IN the
law, acted for the defendants-the cat
erpillars.
First, letters admonishing the cater
pillars and their lawyers were sent out,
and then d commission was appointed
to go and find out the exact amount of
damage done, and calculate the amount
of coin.
When this was done a discussion
arose whether the inspection of the
vineyard was proper and legal.
Nevertheless, the judge gave his opin-
ion that not too much haste should be
used in proceeding against the cater
pillars, as they might have been sent as
a scourge However, the farmers had
to pay the bill and to submit TO the
caterpillars, for the trial began in 1915
and ended in May, 1916.
In 1857 the caterpillars appeared
again, and the plaintiffs-the farmers
prom ised if the caterpiilars should be
accommodated, or put under inter
dict, they would find them place
where they would have sufficient food
for the future.
The judge ordered the plaintiffs to
repent of their sins, TO pay their fines,
and TO walk three days in succession
round the vineyard. This was done and
the fees We're paid.
But the matter did not end here. for
the lawyers for the defeudants-th
caterpill and one named
Peter Rem boud expressed mis- astonish-
ment at the proceedings against his
clients-the most innocent creatures in
the world.
He said common sense tells US that
brute beasts like the verpillons can not
be regularly summoned before magis-
trate and he proved from Scripture
that vegetabIes-and, therefore, vines
are the food Of beasts as well a. Of
men.
Consequently, these poor insects had
only used legal right when they de-
voured the plaintiffs vines. lie prayed
that the case should De dismissed and
the farmers charged with costs
Plaintiffs asked for time 70 answer.
and proved, within q month, that in
sects were created for the use Of man.
The affair was compromised by the
farmers finding piece OF waste land
where the caterpiilars might 90 II they
liked
On December 20, 1857, the farmers
had TO pay the costs Of the action. as
the caterpillars had no goods. The Law
was cheap in those days, and the farm
ers had plenty Of it for their money.
which amounted 10 10 forms
These extraordinary lawsuits against
insects seems 70 have commenced Dout F
the eleventh century, and as late rs
1881 there was a counsel called ia the
town Of ThOueu 20 consider the rropri-
ETY. % joining the surrounding parishes (
N pettsouing the pope 20 excomn1u.- +
cate some insects and 60 agree 20 pay
something toward tie rates -Boston /