The Daily Texarkanian., 1895-01-28
BIG DAMAGE SUIT DECIDED.
Mrs. Spencer Sues the Iron Mountain
Ry., for 100000 Damages
For Injuries Sustained
Here Last May.

600, for injuries sustained by a de-
rallied sleeper in Texarkana early
last year, came to a close in the
Federal court at Little Rock Satur.
day and was given to the jury.
1t will be remembered that the
hindmost sleeper Of the southbound
Iron Mountain train, which arrived
here then at $3.50 o'clock,was derailed
in the yards through the careless
ness of switchman Mrs, Spenser
was thrown from her berth in the
sleeper, and injured,
The trial has been a remarkable
one, as it involved features of an un.
usual nature and reveals the histo-
ry OF a woman, who is probably
without a peer in her sex in the ex-
tent and success of her business ca
pacity and achievements. Mrs.
Spenser, as shown by the evidence
has led a busy life lin the
far West dabling in big real estate
transactions, some of which involv-
ed as much as $50, 900, and it is sta
ted that her earnings have aggre-
gated as high as $4,000 per an
mum. AS a tribute to her business
sagacity, the Southern Pacific Rail-
road, it is stated, has engaged her
services as a right-of-way agent, in
which function she had achieved
success and given entire satisfac-
ton to the compay. She was also
engaged as prime promoter of a
big colonization scheme in Mexico.
These facts invested the damage
suit with peculiar interest. The
dramatic appearance of the plant
if in court added to the interest of
the case Mrs. Spenser was brought
into the courtroom on couch
She presented the appearance of
one whose health had been complet-
ely shattered, and the fact that she
had become physically wrecked was
testified to by one of the most fa-
nous specialists in the world DR.,
Archibald Church of Chicago.
Whether or not the Iron Mountain
railroad is responsible for the result
was the issue at stake in the trial,
The lady claims that the railroad is
responsible for causing the physical
injuries which have made her an
invalid perhaps for life, and made
necessary her abandonment of her
business projects.
Not only were the above recited
facts full of interest to the specta-
tors of the trial, but the large
amount Of damages sought made
the proceedings doubly interesting,
The largest verdict on record as
having been rendered against a
railroad for injuries was recorded
some years ago in Chicago where a
railroad was mulcted to the tune OF
$50, 900 in a case where a lawyer
had been fatally injured and his
family instituted suit for damages.
The Gazette of yesterday thus
speaks of the closing speech in the
case, delivered by Texarkana's "sil-
yer tongued orator.
The speech Of Hon. Paul Jones
was the magnet which drew a large
crowd to the Federal court room
last night, The famous orator was
at his best and delivered an able
and powerful plea to the jury for
Mrs, Spenser At times he rose to
the highest eloquence, especially
when alluding to the helpless condl-
tion Of his client, His auditors keen
ly enjoyed his sallies of wit and sar-
casm at the expense Of the expert
witnesses in the case Mr. Jones
secuted the idea that Mrs, Spenser
was feigning paralysis in order to
bolster up her cause before the ju-
ry, He lauded her as a wonderful
woman whose business capacity was
marvellous ana in an effort to dis.
prove the idea that paralysis affect
ed the mind, too, cited the mental
vgor and perspiculty of Oliver p
Morton and Alexander II, Stephens
as examples Of inyalids wlth-tower'
ing intellccts lie said It was not
fanclful to say that his client was
earning $5, 900 per year The facts
were of record and susceptible Of
proof
News came early this morning,
by wire, that the jury was ready
to turn in a sealed verdict, on the
opening of court. Shortly after
ward the wires were down, and nc
further report as to the amount Of
damages awarded, could be had
Notice.
The animal meeiino of the aiOcl